Lebanon
Language(s): Arabic, English, French
Capital City: Beirut
Local Time: From 28 Mar 04 to 30 Oct 04 GMT +3 From 31 Oct 04 to 26 Mar 05 GMT +2
Currency: Lebanese Lira (LBP 1 = 100 Piastres)
Notes: LBP: 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000
Coins: LBP: 50, 100, 250, 500
Dialling Code: 961
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
Ads
Passport & Visa Info
The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate.
Restrictions: Entry & transit is refused to: 1) Holders of passports containing either a valid or...
Beirut International (BEY)
The Republic of Lebanon is a parliamentary republic. The country is still dealing with the economic challenge of recovery from its long civil war. The political situation is stable, with political power concentrated in the office of the President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, each representing one of Lebanon's three largest religious sects (Maronite Christians,...
Baalabak/Baalbak/Baalbeck, the Roman Heliopolis – the town of the sun - as it was named by the Romans, lies underneath the present Ba'albeck. The name originated in the ancient Semitic languages and is formed of two parts meaning “ Lord - god – of the plains “, although some researchers believe the name is rendered to “ The Lord –god- of weeping and mourning “ , that is Adon...
Baalabak/Baalbak/Baalbeck, the Roman Heliopolis, Lebanon's greatest Roman treasure, can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world. Ba'albeck is home to the largest and best preserved Roman temples ever built. Towering high above the Beqa’a plain, their monumental proportions proclaimed the power and wealth of Imperial Rome. The gods worshipped here – the Triad of...
The name Ia'at originates from the Syriac word meaning “patio, tower or guardhouse.” Evidence of roads and aqueducts linking Ia'at to the city of Ba'albeck indicate that it was used as a leisure resort by the Romans, and attest to its antiquity. Some even say that Ia'at is as old as Ba'albeck, the City of the Sun, itself. A column made from local limestone, with a mutilated...
Of Semitic origins, the word Bechwat means “initiation” or “facilitator.” A votive stone altar with representations of the Heliopolitan triad was found in Bechwat, in addition to many funerary caves with rock-cut tombs that yielded many artifacts such as jars and pottery. The town is famous for its church, Saydet Bechwat (“Our Lady of Bechwat”), which was built over the ruins...
The name literally means “the head of Ba'albeck” in Arabic, signifying the town’s higher altitude relative to the City of the Sun. In ancient times, the village was called “Kunia,” and a shrine dedicated to Mar Kunia was built at the highest point in the town. Ras Ba'albeck was a famous Byzantine Episcopal seat and still retains some religious sites worth visiting. Most...
The name Aarsal/ Ersal means “God’s throne” in Aramaic. In the town are the remnants of many Mastabas (fixed masonry benches). On the outskirts of the town are the ruins of a fortified structure of unknown date, located in Wadi Al-Toun (“The Valley of Toun”). The surrounding area has many historical monuments left by the Arabic tribes who settled in the region after the Romans...
There are several versions related to the origin of the town's name. However, the most reliable one is that the name Deir Al-Ahmar is attributed to a big monastery in the area that was built with red stones. The town is characterized by its eight heritage churches as well as the center of the archbishopric of Ba'albeck-Deir Al-Ahmar.
The history of Deir Al-Ahmar is associated...
The origin of the word Hadath is Syriac and literally means “new.” The village’s name was merged with the name Ba'albeck because of its proximity to Ba'albeck. Hadath Ba'albeck is notable for the ruins of Temple of Apollo, dating back to the 1st century B.C. The temple is made up of a rectangular-shaped patio with a host of carved and engraved stones scattered all around. In...
The town of Al-Nabi Chiit derives its name from a shrine to the Nabi (prophet) named Chiit, although the prophet himself is not buried there. According to local tradition, a townsman decided to build the shrine in homage to the actual Nabi Chiit shrine, which he visited in Iraq.
Al-Nabi Chiit Attractions:
Monuments
Al-Wadi Mill
Roman Quarry with Scripts carved into Rocks...
The name Al-Labweh has its origin in the Syriac language, meaning “heart” or “center.” Some argue that the name is Arabic, from the word for lioness, in reference to the lions that used to roam Lebanon. The town has several interesting archeological sites. Most notable are three historical caves that hold several sarcophagi dating back to the Roman-Byzantine era, as well as...
The name Shlifa is traced back to the Syriac word meaning “waterfalls,” in reference to the famous waterfall in the town. There are both Hellenistic and Roman sites to be visited in Shlifa. Particularly interesting are the Castle of Bint Al-Malak (“king’s daughter”) and the historical Church of Saydet Al-Bechara (“Our lady of good omens”).
Shlifa Attractions:
Monuments
Qasr...
