Under the domination of
the Egyptian pharaohs in the 3rd and 32nd millennia B.C, Byblos
was a commercial and religious capital of the Phoenician coast.
It was in Byblos where the first linear alphabet, ancestor of
all modern alphabet, (through Greek and Latin), was invented.
The sarcophagus of Byblos’ king Ahiram, now in the national
museum, bears
the oldest known Phoenician inscription. Byblos was also the
centre of the Adonis cult, the god of vegetation who dies in
winter and renewed each spring.
Like its sister cities, Byblos was destroyed in the earthquake
of 551 A.D it regained some consequence in crusader times when
it came under the county of Tripoli. A modest town under the
Mamluks and ottomans, Byblos grew rapidly during the recent war
in Lebanon when commercial activities moved from Beirut to
regional capitals.
This busy modern town located at 36 kilometers north of Beirut,
has the “Roman Medieval port” as its main tourist hub. The
landmarks in this area are: the crusader castle and church as
well as the extensive remains of city’s past- from Neolithic
times to the crusader era. A beautiful Mosque adds to the
cultural mix in the old part of Byblos. Cafes and restaurants,
plus an interesting wax museum can also be visited.
|