Anjar, UNESCO Heritage ruins in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
The archaeological site of Anjar extends across 114,000 square meters, surrounded by fortified stone walls and divided by two main perpendicular avenues into quadrants.
The site dates back to the early 8th century when Umayyad caliph al-Walid I established the settlement, as evidenced by Syriac inscriptions found in local quarries.
The town maintains strong Armenian heritage through its neighborhoods, named after six original villages from which Armenian refugees relocated in 1939.
The site contains multiple excavated structures including a grand palace measuring 59 by 70 meters, featuring preserved arcades and an extensive central courtyard.
Located at 950 meters elevation near the Syrian border, Anjar combines Umayyad architectural elements with Roman urban planning principles in its layout.
Location: Zahlé District
Elevation above the sea: 950 m
Website: http://mousaleranjar.com
GPS coordinates: 33.72583,35.92972
Latest update: May 27, 2025 11:48
Lebanon preserves thousands of years of human settlement through archaeological sites and museum collections spread across the country. Phoenician ruins are adjacent to Roman monuments, while medieval fortresses mark periods of the Crusades and Ottoman rule. In Beirut, the National Museum houses artifacts covering all the country's historical eras, and the Mim Mineral Museum displays over 2,000 specimens from around the world. Along the coast, Sidon features a 13th-century maritime fortress and the Echmoun temple, a Phoenician complex built in the 7th century BCE. Collections extend well beyond classical archaeology. The Saint-Joseph University Prehistory Museum documents prehistoric occupation in Lebanon, while the Byblos Fossil Museum showcases more than 200 petrified specimens illustrating regional geological history. These institutions provide a thorough overview of the human and natural evolution of this Mediterranean area, from early settlements to Ottoman and modern periods.
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