Anjar, UNESCO Heritage ruins in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Anjar is an archaeological site in the Bekaa Valley displaying the remains of an ancient city enclosed by fortified stone walls and crossed by two main roads at right angles. Excavations have uncovered multiple structures, including a large palace with preserved arcades and a spacious central courtyard.
The site was established in the early 8th century under Umayyad caliph al-Walid I, confirmed by Syriac inscriptions found in local quarries. Its foundation reflects a period of urban expansion under this dynasty, combining Roman planning principles with regional building practices.
The town carries strong Armenian roots through its neighborhoods, each named after villages from which Armenian families arrived and rebuilt their lives. This heritage shapes how the place looks and feels to visitors today.
Plan visits during cooler parts of the day, as the site sits at mountain elevation and the ground becomes very dry in summer months. The paths across the grounds are open and mostly unpaved, so sturdy footwear and plenty of water are essential.
Positioned at roughly 950 meters elevation near the Syrian border, the site combines Umayyad architectural style with classical Roman urban planning in one location. This blend of two building traditions in a single place makes it a remarkable example of how different influences shaped early Islamic settlement design.
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