ByblosLArchaeological PromenadejQdGYQGePPPFree ParkingFree ParkingFree ParkingMedieval City WallRoman RoadCemeteryByblos Archaeological SiteMosqueAl-Saydeh ChurchSaydet al-Najat ChurchHarborHarbor TowersSt. John ChurchPFree Parking Saydetal-BouebehChurchWax MuseumFossil MuseumSouksAccessible StructuresByblosLL_., ..,,.. . ....: :,...s ... . . ...... . ....,: ... .,.......: .....: .... .,.. ..,., . ..:.. .,... ... .,.... ..... .:.,.... ...,s.., L...: .,.... .:.... ... .. .. ....: ...... _ ,.....,..: .,.,. ...,s. _., .....: ,..: ,... : .,. .: ...:._: . .:..: _. . .,. ..: ,,.. . .,. -.. .... .. : . .,... ,

. . ,.... _.: ..: ..: .. ., .:..: _. _..: .. . .,. ,,.. .. .,,: _.s .,..... _ _ .....: ,,.. ...., ..: .. .,..... ...,., : ... .,..... _ .,.. ..,. _.: . .,. ...,..: .,,: .. .-........: ,. .......: :.:..: . : . _.s .... ,., , . ..... ....: ...: _. .,. .., .., ..._ , : _. .,. _ ,.. ._...s ... .,.. . _.: . .....:... .....: . : ..s ...... ... ....: . : ._..,,: ....._. _... ...s _.: ..s: . .....: ......: .. ... .,. ,.,., ._.,...,... . .....: .,,: ..... .,. .,. ,r. ..,,: ..,. .,..:ByblosByblos is one of the top contenders for the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world award. According to Phoenician tradition, Byblos was founded by the god El, and even the Phoenicians considered it a city of great antiquity. Although its beginnings are lost in time, modern scholars say the site of Byblos goes back at least 7,000 years.The words Byblos and Phoenicia would not have been recognized by the city's early inhabitants. For several thousand years the city was called Gubla and later Gebal, while the term Canaan was applied to the coast in general. It was the Greeks, sometime after 1200 B.C., who gave us the name Phoenicia, referring to the coastal area. The Greeks called the city Byblos (meaning papyrus in Greek), because this commercial center was important in the papyrus trade. Today, Byblos (Jbail in Arabic), located on the coast 37 kilometers north of Beirut, is a prosperous place with glass-fronted office buildings and crowded streets. But within the old town, medieval Arab and Crusader remains are continuous reminders of the past. Nearby are the extensive excavations that make Byblos one of the most important archaeological sites in the area. The site contains layers upon layers of ruins, dating as far back as the Stone Age and extending through the more recent Ottoman era.Byblos in HistoryjQdG a LByblos in History About 7,000 years ago, a small Neolithic fishing community settled along the shore at the site of modern-day Byblos. Several Neolithic-era mono-cellular huts with crushed limestone floors can be seen by visitors to the archaeological site. Through the fourth millennium B.C. (40003000 B.C.), life continued for these settlers with little change. Artifacts uncovered at the site show that some new customs evolved, such as the practice of burying the deceased in large pottery jars with their early possessions. Many tools and weapons of this period have been found as well. During the Bronze Age (roughly 35001200 B.C.), Byblos and the entire Levantine coast were inhabited by the Canaanites. Modern scholars use the term Canaanite in many different ways, and there is much disagreement about the origins of the Canaanite peoples. It is unclear how and when the Canaanites, as a distinct group, descended from the earlier Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlers in the region. Around 3000 B.C., the city of Byblos had developed into the most important timber shipping center on the eastern Mediterranean. Ties with Egypt were very close. The Egyptian pharaohs needed cedar wood and oils for shipbuilding, tomb construction, and funerary rituals. In return, Egypt sent gold, alabaster, papyrus rolls, papyrus rope, and linen to Byblos. Thus began a period of prosperity, wealth, and intense commercial activity. L jQJ...... ..... .....: ,..: ,...: _.. _. ..... _:. .....,: ...... ,... .: .. _.s. .L....: .:... . .,:

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,..., .,.,.. . ...:.,. _.: . .s.: .,. ... _ ,s.:.. ,..., ..,. .... : ,... ..: ... : ,... . ... ..,..: . : .,.... ... .,.,. ... ...,..:.. .s.: : _. .,. -..Byblos in HistoryjQdG a LAround 2300-1900 B.C., Amorite tribes from the desert overran the coastal region and set fire to Byblos. But once the Amorites had settled in, the city was rebuilt, and Egypt again began to send costly goods to Byblos. Treasures uncovered in the royal tombs of Byblos show the great wealth that flooded the city. Around 1200 B.C., the Sea People from the north arrived in the eastern Mediterranean, and some settled along the southern coast of Canaan in cities including Byblos, Sidon, and Tyre. These seafarers had a highly sophisticated maritime technology. Their maritime skills could have contributed to the development of the flourishing sea trade and maritime society we know today as Phoenicia. The Phoenician period in Byblos extended from the arrival of the Sea People, around 1200 B.C., until the conquest by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C.Perhaps the Phoenicians most significant contribution to the world was the development of the first phonetic alphabet. Around the end of the second millennium B.C., the scribes of Byblos developed an alphabetic phonetic script of 22 letters, the precursor of our modern-day alphabet. The earliest form of the Phoenician alphabet found to date is an inscription on the sarcophagus of King Ahiram of Byblos (10th century B.C.), now on display at the National Museum in Beirut. By 800 B.C., the Phoenician alphabet had traveled to Greece, and it was later adapted by the Romans, changing forever the way people communicated. Throughout the first millennium B.C., Byblos continued to benefit from its extensive sea trade, in spite of invasions by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Then came invasion by the Persians, who held sway from 555-333 B.C. The remains of a fortress from this period, located outside the early Bronze Age city walls, show that Byblos was a strategic part of the Persian defense system in the eastern Mediterranean. ...... _.,..: L....: ..... .. ..,.. . .....: : ..,.. _ ..,... . .,.. ... .

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. . ....,...,.. _..,,:Byblos in HistoryjQdG a LAfter conquest by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C., Byblos fell under Greek rule. During the Hellenistic Period (333-64 B.C.), the residents of Byblos adopted Greek customs, culture, and language. It is the Greeks who gave the city its name Byblos, which means papyrus or paper. The city continued to be an important center for trading papyrus, on which many religious texts, public documents, private letters, astronomical texts, and mathematical texts were written. Both the Greek language and culture persisted throughout the Roman era, which was to come. In the first century B.C., the Romans, under Pompey, took over Byblos and other Phoenician cities, ruling them from 64 B.C. to 399 A.D. In Byblos, the Romans built large temples, baths, and other public buildings, as well as a street bordered by a colonnade that surrounded the city. After the division of the Roman Empire into the east and west, Byblos fell under the rule of Constantinople. There are few remains of the Byzantine Period (399636 A.D.) in Byblos, partly because construction was of soft sandstone and generally of poor quality. Byzantine stones were also quarried for use in later buildings. The Arabs conquered Byblos and the surrounding region in 636 A.D. Under Arab rule Byblos was generally peaceful, but it had declined in importance over the centuries and archaeological evidence from this period is limited. In 1104, Byblos was conquered by the Crusaders, who used the large Roman stones and granite columns to construct their own castle and moat. With the departure of the Crusaders, Byblos continued under Mamluke rule (13th16th centuries A.D.) and Ottoman rule (16th20th centuries A.D.) as a small fishing town. Its ancient remains were gradually covered with debris and other buildings. ._..,.. ..... ...... ... _..,,: .. ..._ , _,: L.., _., - .._ ., _,: ..., _,,. ... . .... .,.. .,: .s. _. ,

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.. .. .. .,...:.... .,..: . _., .. ....: _.....,,. .,.. : -. ,.,. ._..,: . ...s:,.... . .,... .. .., ..... ..,... .. _.: .,...: .,... .,. _.......: ...: : .....: .....:.,.... ..,. : .: .., .,. _... , . .. .. ........:, .:...: .,. _. .......: ..,.... .,.:, .,.: ..s. _.s..: . ..:.. -,..ExcavationsjKCG jdGExcavationsBefore Byblos was excavated, the ruins of successive cities had formed a mound about 12 meters high covered with houses and gardens. The ancient site was rediscovered in 1860 by the French writer Ernest Renan, who made a survey of the area. In 1921-1924, Pierre Montet, a French Egyptologist, began excavations that confirmed trade relations between Byblos and ancient Egypt. Afterward, Maurice Dunand began his excavation work in Byblos in 1926 and continued until 1975.jKCG jdG. : ... .,. .. _. .,.....: ...s..: ..,:: ... ..: ,,. ._. .,...., ...: -.. .... ..,

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s.. .... . .. .. .....,: ..: ....: ..,...:..., -.... . ,,s ...:PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjRVisiting the site todayA thriving modern town with an ancient heart, Byblos is a mix of sophistication and tradition. The old harbor is sheltered from the sea by a rocky headland. Nearby are the excavated remains of the ancient city, the Crusader castle and church, and the old market area. The area of excavations is surrounded by a wall with the entrance at the Crusader castle. To get a good view of this large, somewhat complex site, either climb to the top of castle or walk around the periphery from outside the wall to identify the major monuments.With its many restaurants, cafs, souvenir shops, and hotels, Byblos is well prepared to welcome tourists. dG bdG IQjR1 The Roman RoadThese vestiges are the remains of the Roman road that once led to the Roman-era city of Byblos. Today, about 300m of the road can be seen, including some of the old paving stones and columns that once lined the road.fehdG jdG -1 L.., : .. ...s _.: .....,,: .,:: : ... .: .. _. ..,. ...,:......:PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB2 Bronze Age City GateThe remains of a city gate dating from the Early Bronze Age (third millennium B.C.) are located on the left side of the castle. This gate appears as a wide opening between two ancient stone ramparts. Traces of fire are visible, possibly from the Amorite invasions around 2300-1900 B.C. jdG HGH -2...,...: ..: : ..: .... : .._ ..:..: : ..... ... .... ..,.: .. _.. .,.. ,,r. .. .., ._..,.. _.. ..,: .. _,...,.... ,

s.. _.:.....: . - ,.(.._PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjR4- Great TempleThe structures visible today are the foundations of the so-called L-shaped Temple, erected around 2700 B.C. A section of charred stone at the entrance of the temples sacred court (4a) is evidence that the temple was destroyed by fire, probably at the time of the Amorite invasions around 2300-1900 B.C. Terracotta basins set in a bench of masonry behind the entrance (4b) probably held water for ritual cleansing ceremonies.dG dG -4 ..: _:. ... .: ,.,s: .,..: ....... _. _...: .,..r: ...,:.. . : .., .-..

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,.. .,..: _ :.... _. .,.:.. ,..:_,. _ ,.,.,...,,..: .....:. .,:... _.. ... ...s ...:, ...: ...:....:PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB3- Old Fortification WallThis primitive wall was built before 2500 B.C. It is the oldest fortification on the site. PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABQdG -2.._ ..: ,. ... .: ...: ..: .... Visiting the sitebdG IQjR5- Temple of the ObelisksOriginally built on top of the L-shaped temple (4), the remains of the Temple of the Obelisks were moved by archaeologists to their present location. The temple dates from the Late Bronze Age (1600-1200 B.C.). The many small obelisks found in this temple were used as religious offerings. Altogether, over 1,306 offerings have been uncovered in this temple, including human figurines made of bronze covered with gold leaf.fCG e -5: . ..,. _ ,.. .(, ,.,s: .,..: _.

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,.. . .s...: _:..: -....-: .. _.s _....,: ....: _ .. _. .,.. . ..,. ...s .. ..,.... _.:.. ... . ...,,. ..... .,... ., ....: . ....s . -.. ..: .. .., ..,..:._.:: ...: _. .: .:... ...:..PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB6- Ain el-MalikThis large cavity, with large sustaining walls constructed of irregular stones, once held a water well called Ain el-Malik. According to the archaeologist who excavated the site, this spring was the main source of water for Byblos in ancient times. dG Y -6_....,: ...: ,.. _....: _. _.s .., .: .. ... .: ..: .. ......... _. . _,:: .. ,,. ...: ..... ..: : ,..: ..., ..,... ...,...:Visiting the sitebdG IQjR7-11- HousesThe archaeological vestiges in this area are the remains of an enclosure and the foundations of houses dating from the Early Bronze Age (about 3200-3000 B.C.). Foundations of two houses, one built on top of the other. The lower one is from the Chalcolithic period (4500-3500 B.C.). The upper one is from the Early Bronze Age (3200-3000 B.C.). Remains of a large Early Bronze Age residence (third millennium B.C.). In the structures rooms you can see three rows of five stone pillar bases, which once held the wooden pillars used to support the structure. Early Bronze Age building foundations (third millennium B.C.). Early Bronze Age house foundations, dating from the period of the Amorite conquest (2150-2000 B.C.).H -11-7.._ ...,: : ...,. . ... ...._,... .... ..._ ...,: : . _...: ...: . ... ... .......,..: -.... ... .... .. .. ,. ... -.. ..,. ., .. ....-.,. _.. .. .., .._ ..:..: : : ... .: ,.,s: ,..: ......... ,. _.:, ...: ... ...s _.: .... ... .... ......:.

... ,... ..... ..,. s _..._ ..:..: : . ... .......(.._ -, . ,...: . ... .......PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB78910117891011Visiting the sitebdG IQjR12-15- Neolithic and Chalcolithic SettlementsDating back to the Stone Age (fifth and fourth millennia B.C.) are the remains of several mono-cellular huts with crushed limestone floors. They are situated in the area between the Early Bronze Age residence (9) and the seashore. Archaeologists have found cultic installations or temples in two of the structures: the first one (14), with an apsidal or semi-circular shape, is located at the northern edge of this area, and the second one (15) is located southeast of the first one. dG Y We -15-12...,:, .......: _..:, _....:, ,..: ,..., ....: ,..: ,... ..:....._..s .. ...s. .... .., ..., .,.. .. -s ..... .,.., .(.._(., .,.. . ... .... : ..,..: . ... .... _.. ..: _. ......,....,.: . ... ...s ..,. . ., ., .(, ...... .,. . ,. ...,PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB16- Amorite QuarryThis large excavation in the rocks, located behind the Baalat Gebal temple (18), dates from the period of the Amorite invasions (2300-1900 B.C.). The stones extracted from this quarry were used to construct buildings in the Byblos area.jQeCG IdG de -16. , . ... .,.. . .: ,...: _. .,.,s .,.. . ....s _.,PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjR17- Bronze Age HouseThis Early Bronze Age house is located near the quarry (16). Most of its walls are preserved, with more than three courses of stones remaining today. Its seaside faade has especially well-built, thick walls. H -17.,... .., .. ..: ....: ,...: : ... ....: ...,: ....,..: . _. ....: . ... . ....:PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB18 - Temple of Baalat GebalToday, the visitor can only see the foundations of the Temple of Baalat Gebal (2700 B.C.). This temple was dedicated to the Lady of Byblos, the patron goddess of the city for over two millennia during the Canaanite/Phoenician era. Constructed when Byblos had close ties with Egypt, this large and important temple was rebuilt a number of times. It remained in use until the Roman period, when it was replaced by a Roman-style structure, which was dismantled during the excavations of the site in the early 20th century.dG e -18. .....: -.. ...s .., _. .,. . . ..,s.: ... .: , . ... .,.. .....,..: .. _. ...,.: _.: .,.... .., .,.... ..., ....., . ....... ...-...,. .,. ..:: -.... ,,., ._...,,: ,...: .. .._ _:. ..._s...s: ,:: . .,.. -..s. _..,,: .. _ : .... .

,. -.... .... ,..,..:PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjR19- Reconstructed Roman TheaterThe Roman theater, which has only five tiers remaining, was built around 218 A.D. It was moved from its original site between the city gate (2) and the Great Temple (4) to its present location near the seaside. The black pebbles in the center of the theater mark the location of a mosaic that has been preserved in the National Museum of Beirut.fehdG dG -19 _.... _. . -.. -.. ,. .: .: .,...: .._.s, ... ..: : ... : .,..: ,:.. ... .(, , (, .,s,..: ..,..:, (, .....: ... .._...: ..., .-... ... ..,: . .s...: _:..: -..s. _. -...,, -s.s..._.:: ...: _. ...,,.. ......... .. -:.., ... _.: ....:PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB20-28- Royal TombsThe necropolis dates to the second millennium B.C. and contains nine underground tombs of the Byblos kings. The most important tomb is that of King Ahiram (10th century B.C.), whose sarcophagus bears one the earliest known inscriptions of the Phoenician alphabet. This sarcophagus is now located in the National Museum of Beirut. The tomb of King Ahiram was located on the west slope facing the sea, but it was completely destroyed by a collapse in 1922, which revealed Ahirams sarcophagus.dG aGdG -28-20_. .... .. ..... . :... _.,.,..:.,..,:.s_.. ..,...:._s.: _.,,..: ... ...s . .,..._.: ...: .. _ . ..,: .,... .. .._ .....: : : ......: -. .... ... .... ._: . ..,,.. _.. ._.::... .: ,.. .: _.,,.....s.: _....: .., : .........:.......PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjR29- Bronze Age Residential QuarterAt this site are the remains of a residential quarter dating to the Bronze Age. The foundations of several houses can be seen, giving the visitor a sense of the general layout of a residential area during this period.dG AMCG -29.: .. _. ..,. ...,:....... . ... _.: .....: ...s..: .......,,,: ,...PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB30- Roman ColonnadeThese six standing columns once lined a north-south street, built by the Romans in 300 A.D., which led to the Temple of Baalat-Gebal (18).fehQ GhQ -30 .: ....: _, . ... ,...: _. .,. _,... _.s(..._:.,_...,,:...,: .,.. : _.. .,PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjR31-32- Bronze Age City FortificationsThese Bronze Age ramparts, walls, and fortifications are located inside the modern wall on the right side of the Castle entrance. The structures show successive stages of construction and restoration. The indented wall (31) belongs to the fortifications built in the Early Bronze Age (third millennium B.C.), while the terraced slopes or glacis made of large blocks (32) date from the end of the Middle Bronze Age (1725-1580 B.C.). bRh QGSCG -32-31..:..: ..: . ..., .._.: .. .. ,,r . ......:,... . . .,....... s..... . .,...: ..: : ..:_.s ., ....,., .... .,....... : ... ....: ..:...: _.. .._ ..:..: :.,.,s: ..,..: .s: . . ..,.:_. _...s,: ,... : ....._ .....: : .....PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseAB33- Roman NympheumLocated to the left of the Castle entrance are the foundations of a Roman-era nympheum. The nympheum was once decorated with fountains and a niche filled with statues. The roads coming into the city from the north converged in the area in front of the nympheum.fehdG AdG S -33.... ... ...: .,..: .. ..., ..,.: ..: .... : ..:: ...: _,:: ... ...s_. _.. ....: .,. . .,....,: .. .-... ...: .....:.,.s...: -. ... ...s. -.......: ,..., .....:,PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjR34- The Crusader CastleThe site of the Crusader Castle was originally occupied by an earlier fortification dating from the Fatimid period (969-1169 A.D.). In the beginning of the 12th century A.D., the Crusaders built a strong fortress, reusing Roman stonework from the site and cutting new stones to match the old ones. The castle consisted of a courtyard, an enclosure with four towers at each corner of the building, and a fifth tower in the middle of the north wall to defend the entrance. The whole castle was originally surrounded by a moat. In Mamluke and Ottoman times, the castle was reused and some parts of it were restored. Climbing to the top of the castle offers an excellent vantage point for taking in a panoramic view of the ruins and the Mediterranean Sea.dG dG -34... ..,...: ..: ,.._. _.:..: ,...: _. ..... _ ,.. .-... ...:.. ..,...: .. _. .,..,... . _,....... ..... .,.. ...: .,:.,. .,.,.... _. ..... ..........: . .,.,s ....s. ...... _.: ....,:..., ......: ...: ....-. L... _.... .,. . ..:... -.... ... .., ._..... _.... .,., .., .,..... _:....: ..: L.., _.L..., ....: ..... _...: .:.. .. ._... ..:.....,: _.. ,,r . _,. ...,:... : ....... ....:..:.....,.: _.., ..,...:.:...: ,... : .....:........:,PTMFree Parking10m 50m 100m341568291012 13711141516 171819 2021222324252627283029313233343519th CenturyHouseABVisiting the sitebdG IQjR35- Persian CastleThis complex dates from the Persian period (555-333 B.C.). It is believed to be a castle because of its large masonry walls and the military and defensive aspects of its architecture. The remains are located outside the Early Bronze Age city walls, and today visitors can see foundations of the castle walls and square-shaped towers. The fact that a fortress was constructed here during this period shows that Byblos was a strategic part of the Persian defense system in the eastern Mediterranean.SQdG dG -35_....,:

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. .. ... _... , ,r.. ....: .,. _,,..s: .,s.. .,. ,,. ,.... ,.......: _,,: .,..Byblos Historical SitesjQdG LIH de HSaydet al-Najat ChurchSaydet al-Najat Church (the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance) is a Greek Orthodox church built during the 12th-13th centuries over the remains of an older Byzantine church. There are various remains of the older Byzantine church scattered around in the churchs gardens. The medieval, fortress-like building has heavily buttressed walls. Many Roman architectural elements are reused in its structure.IdG IS c... ..:.... .....s _... . ,... .:..:, ,... _...: ..,: _.. _. .........., ...... ,..... .,.... _. ..... .., .... _.....: _,: : ...PPPFree ParkingFree ParkingFree ParkingMedieval City WallRoman RoadCemeteryByblos Archaeological SiteMosqueAl-Saydeh ChurchSaydet al-Najat ChurchHarborHarbor TowersSt. John ChurchPFree Parking Saydetal-BouebehChurchWax MuseumFossil MuseumSouksSaint John the Baptist ChurchKnown today as Saint John-Marcus Church, this church was built in several phases during the 12th-13th centuries. Construction began in 1115, with additional structures added over time, such as the Italianate-style cupola with an open air baptistery (13th century) in the northwest corner. In the 18th century, the church was given to the Maronite community by Emir Youssef Chehab. It was severely damaged during the British bombardment of 1840, and, in 1947, it was restored and the bell tower was added. The architectural style of the church is Roman but reflects the oriental Byzantine influence. Each one of the churchs three naves ends with a semi-circular apse. In the garden to the west of the church, adjacent to the church courtyard, are traces of mosaic paving and the foundations from an earlier Byzantine church that once stood on this site.GdG Mj jdG c .. .,...,. ,... ._..,. .... _...: .....s ..... ..:.. ..,,.. _.,:... _., .,... .:..:, ,... _...: ..,: _.. _. .,. . ..s...,.,. ...,.: ..:....: .,.., ..., ..,... .,.. .., s _,... ... _... .... ,.. :. .., .....s ...... ...s, ,... .:..: _,: .. _. ......: ...,.. .,... ...: _,: _. ...,..: ....:: : .....s: .. ..,.... .,...,. ... ..:..: _.,.: .,. .,.. ..... .., . .. _..:.,,:..... ...s ..:.... .....s ......... ... .....s: .,. : ....: _. .....: _. .....Byblos Historical SitesjQdG LIH de HMedieval City WallThe old, medieval part of Byblos is surrounded by walls running about 270m from east to west and 200m from north to south. The north section of the wall is the best preserved. The walls were first constructed by the Crusaders in the early-12th century, when the Crusader Castle was built. Since that period, the wall has been restored many times, and most parts of the visible upper structure date from the Mamluke and Ottoman periods.QdG_:. .... .: ..: .. ,.. ... ...

,.. , .,.: : _,..: . ,.. ,.. ..,...: .. : ...: : ....:... .,..s .....,. ,,r. _:..: -..., _._.....: ,...: ....., .:...: ,... :PPPFree ParkingFree ParkingFree ParkingMedieval City WallRoman RoadCemeteryByblos Archaeological SiteMosqueAl-Saydeh ChurchSaydet al-Najat ChurchHarborHarbor TowersSt. John ChurchPFree Parking Saydetal-BouebehChurchWax MuseumFossil MuseumSouksThe Harbor & Harbor TowersAt the base of the historic quarter is the small harbor of Byblos. This harbor was probably used for fishing and not for trade by the Phoenicians. The bottom of the current harbor is not deep enough to be able to receive the large ships used for the Phoenicians active maritime trade. Archaeologists are still searching for the location of the ancient Phoenician harbor.The Crusaders built defensive towers on either side of the mouth of the port, and a chain could be raised between the two towers to prevent boats from entering. The northern tower was restored during the Mamluke and Ottoman eras and is still in fairly good condition. Climb to the top of the tower and look down into the water to see the remains of the ancient quays. You can take a boat ride in the harbor during spring summer, and fall.LGHGh CadG... _... _.s_:....: .,. ..,._. ...,... .. _..,..., _,...: ,...:_.. _. ..,...,. ....:...: ,...PPPFree ParkingFree ParkingFree ParkingMedieval City WallRoman RoadCemeteryByblos Archaeological SiteMosqueAl-Saydeh ChurchSaydet al-Najat ChurchHarborHarbor TowersSt. John ChurchPFree Parking Saydetal-BouebehChurchWax MuseumFossil MuseumSouksByblos Historical SitesjQdG LIH de HSaydet al-Bouebeh ChurchSaydet al-Bouebeh Church (the Church of the Lady of the Gate) is a small oratory built during the 18th century over a north gate of the city wall.HGdG IS,.... ... _.,.., ...: _.,s...,: . -... ..._.:, .,.. . _.:.:..: ..: _,..._,: : ... _.,.,... ...:PPPFree ParkingFree ParkingFree ParkingMedieval City WallRoman RoadCemeteryByblos Archaeological SiteMosqueAl-Saydeh ChurchSaydet al-Najat ChurchHarborHarbor TowersSt. John ChurchPFree Parking Saydetal-BouebehChurchWax MuseumFossil MuseumSouksThe Mosque of the Sultan Abdul MajidThis small, Ottoman-era mosque was built in 1648 in the old historic quarter, and it was renovated by Emir Youssef Chehab in 1783. It has a semi-spherical cupola and an octagonal minaret.dG Y dG e,.. ,. . .. .. .., . .. ,... .. ..s. -,.. ,.... .......... ...:. ...,.: ..:....: -.., ., ..,,s ... .,. .. ...,.. ....s..:Roman RoadIn the center of the road that runs north-south from the old coast road in the center of Byblos, to the coastal motorway, are the remains of the Roman-era cardo maximus. About halfway up the road are traces of the original Roman paving and a series of reconstructed columns from the colonnade that once lined the road.fehdG jdG.,. ..... ... ... .:.:._.: .....,,: .,:: . .,..,:. . _.,. .... .: .._. .,...,. .. _.: .,....,..,...: _,: .....,..PPPFree ParkingFree ParkingFree ParkingMedieval City WallRoman RoadCemeteryByblos Archaeological SiteMosqueAl-Saydeh ChurchSaydet al-Najat ChurchHarborHarbor TowersSt. John ChurchPFree Parking Saydetal-BouebehChurchWax MuseumFossil MuseumSouksByblos Historical SitesjQdG LIH de HHistoric Quarter and Souks In the southeast section of the historic city, near the entrance of the archaeological site, is a small square built by Emir Youssef Chehab in the 18th century. The Mosque of the Sultan Abdul Majid and the Saydet al-Bouebeh Church are located in this square. West of the square is a vaulted passageway leading to the old harbor. East of the square are the old souks (markets), which have been restored by the Department of Antiquities in the 1970s. Here you can shop for tourist items, souvenirs, and antiques, or simply stroll along the old cobblestone streets and enjoy the architecture.GSGh jdG IdG.. _.: ....: .,. _.. ... ....: .....: . .....: ...,..: .,.: _.... _., ..,...: _,: .....,.. . ..: ....: ..,...: ,. . .,...,.: ....... ....:, ...,.: ..: .,: . ...: .,....: .s.s.: . ....: .....:.:, _...:Byblos Fossil MuseumThe small Byblos Fossil Museum has impressive displays of fossilized fish, sharks, eel, flying fish, and other marine life, some millions of years old. Many of these fossils were excavated from the mountains above Byblos, especially near the towns of Haqel, Hjoula, and Nammoura. The museum is located in the souks area, near the small square and entrance to the archaeological site.Byblos Wax MuseumThe Byblos Wax Museum, founded in 1970, displays lifelike wax figures that illustrate Lebanons history. Over 24 scenes and 120 life-sized statues describe in detail such things as ancient customs and legends, traditional rural life, and major figures and events in Lebanese history. The museum is located in the historic quarter, near the old souks and the Saint John Church.IdG SG e.... . ... ..,... ...: ,....: .,....: .... ... .......:, .., ...:.. . .,.,.... .. _.: .,....: ..,.,: .....:,......: . _.,..: _...: .: _. ....: _.. .:.. _. ...: .dG e.,. _. ...: ... _...,.s . ... ., ..:... ...: . .... ........ ... .....,: ..........,,: ....: .s.. . ... :. .......: ......: _..,. .....: ..., ,.:.....,. .:... .

...:PPPFree ParkingFree ParkingFree ParkingMedieval City WallRoman RoadCemeteryByblos Archaeological SiteMosqueAl-Saydeh ChurchSaydet al-Najat ChurchHarborHarbor TowersSt. John ChurchPFree Parking Saydetal-BouebehChurchWax MuseumFossil MuseumSouksMost of the text is taken from:The pamphlet BYBLOS, text: Elian Larwood, Marilyn Raschka,Dr. Hassan Salam-Sarkis, The Ministry of Tourism.Maps & text compilation: Assaad Seif.. . _....: .r.. ..........: ., ..... ._..s,.. -... _. ... .s.: _.. ..,. _.

,s.... .... ._....: ..... , L.,.: ...Prehistorical & Historical Periods of LebanonPrehistoryStone Age ~800,000-4,500 B.C. Paleolithic ~800,000-12,000 Mesolithic-Epipaleolithic 12,000-7,500 Neolithic 7,500-4,500Chalcolithic Period 4,500-3,500 B.C.AntiquityBronze Age - Canaanite Period 3,500-1,200 B.C. Early Bronze 3,500-2,000 Middle Bronze 2,000-1,600 Late Bronze 1,600-1,200Iron Age - Phoenician Period 1,200-333 B.C. Iron Age I 1,200-900 Iron Age II 900-555 Assyrian Period 745-612 Neo-Babylonian Period 587-555 Iron Age III - Persian Period 555-333Hellenistic Period 333-64 B.C.Roman Period 64 B.C. - 399 A.D.Byzantine Period 399-636 A.D.MIiddle AgesRachidite Period 632-661 A.D.Umayyad Period 661-750 A.D.Abbasid Period 750-969 A.D.Fatimid Period 969-1169 A.D.Crusades Period 1099-1291 A.D.Ayoubid Period 1169-1250 A.D.Mamluke Period 1250-1516 A.D.Modern TimesOttoman Period 1516-1914 A.D. Emirs Period 1544-1842 Maanid 1544-1698 Chehabite 1698-1842 The Two Qaimaqamiyat 1842-1861 The Mutasarifiyat 1861-1914Contemporary PeriodFirst World War 1914-1918 A.D.The Peace Conference and the creation of the state of Great Lebanon 1918-1920 A.D.French Mandate Period 1920-1943 A.D.Independent Lebanon 1943 A.D.www.DestinationLebanon.comGlossaryApse: Semi-circular area at the east end of a church, often with a domed or vaulted roof.Apsidal: An adjective given to a hall having a semi-circular shape.Colonnade: A set of evenly spaced columns.Cupola: Dome.Glacis: A slight incline in front of a fortified place.Minaret: A tall, slender tower attached to a Mosque with one or more balconies, used to broadcast the call to prayers. Nave: The central space in a church.Necropolis: Burial site, cemetery.Niche: A recess in a wall, often containing a statue, bust, or vase.Nympheum: A monumental fountain.Oratory: A small chapel, often used for private prayer.Ramparts: A city wall.Sarcophagus: A stone or marble coffin or tomb.