Byblos is located on the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon, 26 miles north of Beirut. The city is actually now named Jbeil, but is often still referred to as Byblos. It is thought to be the first city to be built, as well as the oldest continuously inhabited city. Carbon-dating has dated archaeological fragments to be over 7000 years old. The city has an amazing history, starting with a Neolithic fishing village. It endured Alexander the Great, the Romans, then the Crusades, before once again becoming a fishing community.
Considering its past, Byblos has a plethora of historical sites to visit. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city is a strange mix of old ruins and modern architecture. But you should really focus on the archaeological excavations and historical sites:
- Byblos Castle
Built by the Crusaders in the 12th century, the castle wall now encompasses the excavation project that was started in the 1920s. - Ancient Phoenician Temples
The remains of two temples still exist: the Temples of Baalat Gebal (2700 BC), and the Temple of Obelisks (1600 BC). The Temple of Baalat Gebal was built in worship of the goddess Astarte, also known as Baalat Gebal (Lady of Byblos), around 2700BC. She was also the patroness of shipmasters and her temple overlooked the Mediterranean. The Temple of Obelisks was also built in honour of Asarte and hieroglyphs can be seen on an obelisk. - The Fossil Museum: Memory of Time
The museum is located in a small alley behind the main souk on Place de la Citadelle. Opened in 1991, it has an impressive collection, most of which was collected from surrounding villages. A must see for anyone interested in evolution.
Of course, Byblos also has a lot more than just history. Byblos International Festival is a yearly event that usually starts around late July and ends in September. Although there is no official program for the music festival, the organizers always mix different musical genres from various cultures at each evening’s show, which usually start around 9pm. The city has a beautiful harbour and the souk is also fun, though at times a bit touristy.
During the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict in the summer of 2006, Byblos was affected by an oil spill when a power plant in Jihey, south of Beirut, was struck. International agencies have cleaned up most of the oil. Tourism is returning to the area and the beauty of the city can still be appreciated.