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Byblos
Archaeological Promenade
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 Byblos
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Free Parking

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Saydet al-Najat Church
Medieval City Wall
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Free Parking
Harbor
St. John Church
Roman Road
Wax Museum
Harbor Towers

Mosque Cemetery
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Free Parking Fossil Museum
P Souks
Free Parking Saydet
Al-Saydeh Church al-Bouebeh
Church

Byblos Archaeological Site

Accessible Structures
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Byblos
Byblos is one of the top contenders for the “oldest
continuously inhabited city in the world” award. According to
Phoenician tradition, Byblos was founded by the god El, and
even the Phoenicians considered it a city of great antiquity.
Although its beginnings are lost in time, modern scholars say
the site of Byblos goes back at least 7,000 years.
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The words “Byblos” and “Phoenicia” would not have been

recognized by the city's early inhabitants. For several thousand
years the city was called “Gubla” and later “Gebal,” while the
term “Canaan” was applied to the coast in general. It was the
Greeks, sometime after 1200 B.C., who gave us the name
“Phoenicia,” referring to the coastal area. The Greeks called
the city “Byblos” (meaning “papyrus” in Greek), because this
commercial center was important in the papyrus trade.

Today, Byblos (Jbail in Arabic), located on the coast 37

kilometers north of Beirut, is a prosperous place with glass-
fronted office buildings and crowded streets. But within the
old town, medieval Arab and Crusader remains are continuous
reminders of the past. Nearby are the extensive excavations
that make Byblos one of the most important archaeological
sites in the area. The site contains layers upon layers of ruins,
dating as far back as the Stone Age and extending through the
more recent Ottoman era.
 Byblos in History
ïjQÉàdG »a π«ÑL
Byblos in History
About 7,000 years ago, a small Neolithic fishing community
settled along the shore at the site of modern-day Byblos. Several
Neolithic-era mono-cellular huts with crushed limestone floors
can be seen by visitors to the archaeological site. Through the
fourth millennium B.C. (4000–3000 B.C.), life continued for
these settlers with little change. Artifacts uncovered at the site
show that some new customs evolved, such as the practice
of burying the deceased in large pottery jars with their early
possessions. Many tools and weapons of this period have been
found as well.
During the Bronze Age (roughly 3500–1200 B.C.), Byblos and
the entire Levantine coast were inhabited by the Canaanites.
Modern scholars use the term “Canaanite” in many different
ways, and there is much disagreement about the origins of the
Canaanite peoples. It is unclear how and when the Canaanites,
as a distinct group, descended from the earlier Neolithic and
Chalcolithic settlers in the region.
Around 3000 B.C., the city of Byblos had developed into the most
important timber shipping center on the eastern Mediterranean.
Ties with Egypt were very close. The Egyptian pharaohs needed
cedar wood and oils for shipbuilding, tomb construction, and
funerary rituals. In return, Egypt sent gold, alabaster, papyrus
rolls, papyrus rope, and linen to Byblos. Thus began a period of
prosperity, wealth, and intense commercial activity.
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 Byblos in History
ïjQÉàdG »a π«ÑL
Around 2300-1900 B.C., Amorite tribes from the desert overran
the coastal region and set fire to Byblos. But once the Amorites
had settled in, the city was rebuilt, and Egypt again began to
send costly goods to Byblos. Treasures uncovered in the royal
tombs of Byblos show the great wealth that flooded the city.
Around 1200 B.C., the “Sea People” from the north arrived
in the eastern Mediterranean, and some settled along the
southern coast of Canaan in cities including Byblos, Sidon,
and Tyre. These seafarers had a highly sophisticated maritime
technology. Their maritime skills could have contributed to the
development of the flourishing sea trade and maritime society
we know today as Phoenicia. The Phoenician period in Byblos
extended from the arrival of the “Sea People,” around 1200
B.C., until the conquest by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C.
Perhaps the Phoenicians’ most significant contribution to the
world was the development of the first phonetic alphabet.
Around the end of the second millennium B.C., the scribes of
Byblos developed an alphabetic phonetic script of 22 letters,
the precursor of our modern-day alphabet. The earliest form
of the Phoenician alphabet found to date is an inscription on
the sarcophagus of King Ahiram of Byblos (10th century B.C.),
now on display at the National Museum in Beirut. By 800 B.C.,
the Phoenician alphabet had traveled to Greece, and it was
later adapted by the Romans, changing forever the way people
communicated.
Throughout the first millennium B.C., Byblos continued to
benefit from its extensive sea trade, in spite of invasions by
the Assyrians and Babylonians. Then came invasion by the
Persians, who held sway from 555-333 B.C. The remains of a
fortress from this period, located outside the early Bronze Age
city walls, show that Byblos was a strategic part of the Persian
defense system in the eastern Mediterranean.
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 Byblos in History
ïjQÉàdG »a π«ÑL
After conquest by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C., Byblos fell
under Greek rule. During the Hellenistic Period (333-64 B.C.),
the residents of Byblos adopted Greek customs, culture, and
language. It is the Greeks who gave the city its name “Byblos,”
which means “papyrus” or “paper.” The city continued to be an
important center for trading papyrus, on which many religious
texts, public documents, private letters, astronomical texts,
and mathematical texts were written. Both the Greek language
and culture persisted throughout the Roman era, which was to
come.

In the first century B.C., the Romans, under Pompey, took over
Byblos and other Phoenician cities, ruling them from 64 B.C.
to 399 A.D. In Byblos, the Romans built large temples, baths,
and other public buildings, as well as a street bordered by a
colonnade that surrounded the city.

After the division of the Roman Empire into the east and west,
Byblos fell under the rule of Constantinople. There are few
remains of the Byzantine Period (399–636 A.D.) in Byblos, partly
because construction was of soft sandstone and generally of
poor quality. Byzantine stones were also quarried for use in later
buildings.

The Arabs conquered Byblos and the surrounding region in 636

A.D. Under Arab rule Byblos was generally peaceful, but it had
declined in importance over the centuries and archaeological
evidence from this period is limited.

In 1104, Byblos was conquered by the Crusaders, who used the

large Roman stones and granite columns to construct their own
castle and moat. With the departure of the Crusaders, Byblos
continued under Mamluke rule (13th–16th centuries A.D.) and
Ottoman rule (16th–20th centuries A.D.) as a small fishing town.
Its ancient remains were gradually covered with debris and
other buildings.
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 Excavations
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Excavations
Before Byblos was excavated, the ruins of successive cities had
formed a mound about 12 meters high covered with houses
and gardens. The ancient site was rediscovered in 1860 by the
French writer Ernest Renan, who made a survey of the area.
In 1921-1924, Pierre Montet, a French Egyptologist, began
excavations that confirmed trade relations between Byblos and
ancient Egypt. Afterward, Maurice Dunand began his excavation
work in Byblos in 1926 and continued until 1975.
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 Visiting the site
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Visiting the site today
33

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Ωƒ«dG ™bƒªdG IQÉjR
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A thriving modern town with an ancient heart, Byblos is a mix 27

26 25
30

of sophistication and tradition. The old harbor is sheltered from 24

29 3
35

the sea by a rocky headland. Nearby are the excavated remains 21

22 23

of the ancient city, the Crusader castle and church, and the old 19
20
18
market area.
B

A 4
The area of excavations is surrounded by a wall with the
entrance at the Crusader castle. To get a good view of this 17 16 6

5
large, somewhat complex site, either climb to the top of castle
or walk around the periphery from outside the wall to identify the 14 7
major monuments. 15
9

19th Century
With its many restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops, and hotels, House
8
Byblos is well prepared to welcome tourists. 12 13
10

11

1– The Roman Road

10m 50m 100m

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These vestiges are the remains of the Roman road that once §°Sh ≈dEG …ODƒJ âfÉc »àdG á«fÉehôdG ≥jô£dG ≈dEG Oƒ©J RƒëdG Gòg »a ájôKC’G ÉjÉ≤ÑdG
led to the Roman-era city of Byblos. Today, about 300m of the .áæjóªdG
road can be seen, including some of the old paving stones
and columns that once lined the road. P
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1

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32 T M 34

2– Bronze Age City Gate

1
31
28 2 áæjóªdG áHGƒH -2
The remains of a city gate 27 dating from 30
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the Early Bronze Age .á«Ñ«∏°üdG33á©∏≤dG ≈dEG πNGódG QÉ°ùj ≈dEG .Ω.¥ áãdÉãdG ∞dC’G áæjóe áHGƒH ÉjÉ≤H ™≤J
(third millennium B.C.) are located25on 24
the left side of the castle. ≥jôëdG QÉKBG ¢†©H É¡«∏Y ô¡¶J ∫GõJ Éeh ,¿ÉjôéM ¿GQƒ°S35áHGƒÑdG √òg ¥ôàîjh
This gate32 29
appears M 34 3
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between two ancient 2000-2150)
28 stone ramparts. 2 .(.Ω.¥
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27
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the
24 Amorite invasions 35
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around 2300-1900
29 3
22 B.C. 23 A 4
21

17 20 16 6
19
18
5
 Visiting the site
™bƒªdG IQÉjR P
Free Parking

3- Old Fortification Wall

T
Qƒ°ùdG -2
1 ΩÉ©dG πÑb º«bCG …òdG ºjó≤dG Qƒ°ùdG ÉjÉ≤H
.Ω.¥ 2500
This primitive wall was built before 2500 B.C. It is the oldest
fortification on the site.
33

32 34
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31
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26 25
24 35
29 3
22 23
21 P
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32 34
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4- Great Temple
31
28 2 ô«ÑµdG óÑ©ªdG -4
14 7
27 30
The structures visible today are the foundations
26 25 of the so- 2700 ΩÉ©dG »dGƒM º«bCG …òdG ô«ÑµdG óÑ©ªdG äÉ°SÉ°SCG »g ¿É«©∏d IôgɶdG ÉjÉ≤ÑdG
called “L-shaped Temple,” erected around 2700 B.C. 1524 A section Gòg ≈∏Y ≥∏WCG óbh ,¬«a Ωôq µjo ¿Éc …òdG ¬dE’G áaô©e øe Ö≤æªdG øµªàj ºd .Ω.¥
9 35
of charred stone at the entrance of the temple’s sacred 29 ô«°ûJ ¬æë°U πNóe IQÉéM ∫GõJ Éeh .zL ±ôM 3 áÄ«g ≈∏Y …òdG óÑ©ªdG{ º°SG óÑ©ªdG
19 Century court (4a)
th 22 is23evidence ¢Vôq ©J óÑ©ªdG ¿CG ≈dEG
House that 21the temple was AÉæKCG »a ≥jôë∏d
destroyed by fire,
20
8 .…QƒeC’G hõ¨dG
19 probably
12 13 at the time of 18
¿GôLC’G ¿CG hóÑjh
the Amorite invasions á°Shô¨ªdG á«aõîdG
around 10
2300-1900 ∞∏N áÑ£°üe »a
B
B.C. Terracotta basins Iqó©e âfÉc πNóªdG
set in a bench of A 4 hCG π°ù¨dG √É«ªd
masonry behind11 the .Aƒ°VƒdG
17 entrance (4b) probably
16 6
held water for ritual
cleansing ceremonies. 5
50m 100m

14 7

15
9

19 Century
th

House
8
12 13
 Visiting the site
33

™bƒªdG IQÉjR 32 34
M

5- Temple of the Obelisks

31
28 ÜÉ°üfC’G2óÑ©e -5
27 30
Originally built on top of the “L-shaped temple” (4), the remains
26 25 ≈dEG √ƒ∏≤f ø«jôKC’G ¿CG ô«Z .(3) ô«ÑµdG óÑ©ªdG ¥ƒa Gk ó«q °ûe π°UC’G »a ¿Éc óbh
of the Temple of the Obelisks were moved by archaeologists to 24 Iô«¨°üdG ÜÉ°üfC’G ÉeCG .¬àëJ âfÉc »àdG ≈æÑo dG ±ôq ©J øe Gƒæµªà«d »dÉëdG ¬©°Vƒe
their present location. The temple dates from the Late Bronze ¬dE’29Gk õeQ ¿Éc »°ù«FôdG Ö°üædG ¿CG ø«M »a ,Qhòf øY IQÉÑY âfÉc ó≤a
3 ,É¡jƒàëj »àdG
Age (1600-1200 B.C.). The many small obelisks found in this 22 23 q ájq õfhôH π«KɪJ É¡æ«H øeh ,ΩOÉ≤àdG øe äÉ«ªc ≈∏Y ¬«a Qƒã©dG ºJ óbh .óÑ©ªdG
IÉ°Tƒe
temple were used as religious offerings. Altogether, over 1,30621 .»æWƒdG ∞ëàªdG »a Ωƒ«dG áXƒØëe ÖgòdÉH
offerings have been uncovered in this temple, including human
20
figurines made of bronze covered with gold leaf. 19
18

A 4

17 16 6

14 7

15
9

19th Century
House
8

6- Ain el-Malik
12 13
10
∂∏ªdG ø«Y -6
This large cavity, with large sustaining walls constructed of »°ù«FôdG √É«ªdG ™Ñæe »°VɪdG »a ¿Éc óbh z∂∏ªdG ø«Y{ º°SG Ωƒ«dG ™bƒªdG Gòg πªëj
irregular stones, once held a water well called “Ain el-Malik.” IGPÉëªH »æHo »Ñdƒd êQO ôÑY √É«ªdG AÉ≤à°S’ ø«©dG ≈dEG ∫hõædG ºàjh
q .π«ÑL QGƒ°SCG πNGO
According to the archaeologist who excavated the site, this 11 .ôî°üdG
“spring” was the main source of water for Byblos in ancient
times.

10m 50m 100m

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Visiting the site

A 4

™bƒªdG IQÉjR 17 16 6

7-11- Houses 䃫H -11-7

7 The archaeological vestiges in this area are the remains 14 7
of an enclosure and the foundations of houses dating
from the Early Bronze Age (about 3200-3000 B.C.). 15
9

8 Foundations of two houses, one built on top of the other. 19 Century

th

The lower one is from the Chalcolithic period (4500-3500 House

B.C.). The upper one is from the Early Bronze Age (3200- 8
3000 B.C.). 13
12

9 Remains of a large Early Bronze Age residence (third 10

millennium B.C.). In the structure’s rooms you can see
three rows of five stone pillar bases, which once held the
wooden pillars used to support the structure. 11

10 Early Bronze Age building foundations (third millennium

B.C.).
10m 50m 100m .Ω.¥ á©HGôdG ∞dC’G ájÉ¡f øe 䃫H ÉjÉ≤H 7
11 Early Bronze Age house foundations, dating from the
period of the Amorite conquest (2150-2000 B.C.). »¡àæj ÉgóMCG ,.Ω.¥ á©HGôdG ∞dC’G øe »fÉãdG ∞°üædG øe 䃫H áKÓK ÉjÉ≤H 8
.á©Ñ°ùdG ¬JóªYCG óYGƒ≤H ßØàëj ∫Gõj Ée ôNBG â«H ¬æe áHô≤e ≈∏Yh .á«q æëH
¬aôZ ¢†©H ∫GõJ Éeh .Ω.¥ áãdÉãdG ∞dC’G ≈dEG Oƒ©j …òdG ô«ÑµdG ô°ü≤dG ÉjÉ≤H 9
ÉgOóY ≠∏Ñj »àdGh ,∞≤°ùdG πªëJ âfÉc »àdG IóªYC’G óYGƒ≤H ßØàëJ áë«°ùØdG
.Gk OƒªY ô°ûY á°ùªN áaôZ πc »a
.Ω.¥ áãdÉãdG ∞dC’G øe 䃫H äÉ°SÉ°SCG 10
(.Ω.¥ 2000-2150) …QƒeC’G ô°ü©dG øe 䃫H äÉ°SÉ°SCG 11
 31
28 2

Visiting the site

27 30
26 25
™bƒªdG IQÉjR 24
29
35
3

12-15- Neolithic and

21 Chalcolithic
22 23

Settlements
ôéëdG ô°üY áæWƒà°ùe -15-12
20
19
18
á©HGôdGh á°SOÉ°ùdG ¿ÉØdC’G) ¿OÉ©ªdGh ôéëdG ô°üYh åjóëdG ôéëdG ô°üY áæWƒà°ùe
Dating back to the Stone Age (fifth and fourth millennia B.C.) .»°ù∏c •ÓªH Iƒ°ùµe á«°VQCG äGPh IóMGh IôéM äGP ñGƒcCG äÉ«°VQCG É¡«ah ,(.Ω.¥
are the remains of several mono-cellular huts with crushed (14)
B ÜGôëe …P â«H ÖfÉL ≈dEG ,IôàØdG ∂∏J øaGóe ÉjÉ≤H ¢†©H ™bƒªdG »a ógÉ°ûJh
limestone floors. They are situated in the area between the Early .IOÉÑ©∏d øjqó©e ÉfÉc ɪ¡fCG íLô
q jo h ,(15) IOó©àe ±ôZ …P ôNBG â«Hh
Bronze Age residence (9) and the seashore. Archaeologists have A 4
found cultic installations or temples in two of the structures:
the first one (14), with17 an apsidal or 16
semi-circular shape, is 6
located at the northern edge of this area, and the second one
P
(15) is located southeast of the first one. 5
Free Parking

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14 7

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9

19 Century
th

House
32
8 M
12 13
31
10 28
27 30
26 25
11 24
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22 23

100m16- Amorite Quarry

21

20 ájQƒeC’G IôàØdG ™dÉ≤e -16

19
18
This large excavation in the rocks, located behind the Baalat .zπÑn Lo á∏©H{ óÑ©e ∞∏N ™bGƒdG ôî°üdG »a Iô«Ñc IôØM øY ájÉæc »gh
Gebal temple (18), dates from the period of the Amorite
invasions (2300-1900 B.C.). The stones extracted from this
quarry were used to construct buildings in the Byblos area.

17 16 6

14 7

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9

19 Century
th

House
8
12 13
10

11
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Visiting the site

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29
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21

17- Bronze Age House 19

20 â«H -17
18
This Early Bronze Age house is located near the quarry (16). É¡fGQóL ∫óJh .…QƒeC’G ∫ÓàMÓd ≥HÉ°ùdG ô°ü©dG ≈dEG Oƒ©J áªî°†dG á«æÑdG √òg
Most of its walls are preserved, with more than three courses .IôàØdG ∂∏J »a IQɪ©dG øa ábO ≈∏Y áªî°†dG
of stones remaining today. Its seaside façade has especially
well-built, thick walls.
17 16 6

18 - Temple of Baalat Gebal

P
Free Parking 14 7
á∏©ÑdG óÑ©e -18
T 15
9
Today, the visitor can only see the foundations of the Temple ≈∏Y áæjóªdG
1 ¬«a âfÉc âbh »a π«ÑL áHq Q ºjôµàd º«bCG …òdG zπÑn ¸o á∏©H{ óÑ©e ÉjÉ≤H
of Baalat Gebal (2700 B.C.). This temple was dedicated to the óÑ©ªdG Gòg »a IOÉÑ©dG
th ¢Sƒ≤W äôªà°SG óbh .ô°üªH á≤«Kh ájQÉéJh ájq OÉ°üàbG ábÓY
19 Century
“Lady of Byblos,” the patron goddess of the city for over two ¬ª«eôJ iôL ,πjƒ£dGHouse
¬îjQÉJ ôÑYh .»fÉehôdG ô°ü©dG ≈àM .Ω.¥ 2700 »dGƒM òæe
millennia during the Canaanite/Phoenician era. Constructed
33
»µ«°SÓµdG RGô£dG ≈∏Y Gk óÑ©e ¬fɵe ¿ÉehôdG ΩÉbCG ¿CG ≈dEG ,IóY äGôq e ¬FÉæH IOÉYEG hCG 8
when Byblos had close ties with Egypt, this large and important 13
.Oƒ¡©ªdG
temple was rebuilt a number of times.32It remained in use until 12
34
the Roman period, when it was replaced by a Roman-styleM 10
structure, which was dismantled
31 during the excavations of the
site in the early 20th century.
28 2
11
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26 25
24 35
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32

19- Reconstructed Roman Theater

M 34

31 »fÉehôdG ìô°ùªdG -19

28
The Roman theater, which has only five tiers remaining, was ¢SÉ°SC’G »a Ωƒ≤j ¬ã∏K ’EG ¬æe ≥Ñj ºd …òdG ìô°ùªdG Gòg ¿Éch .Ω.Ü 218 ΩÉ©dG ≈dEG Oƒ©j
built around 218 A.D. It was moved from its original site ≈dEG ø«Ñ≤æªdG ô£°VG27ɪe ,(5) h (3) ø«ÑcGôàªdG
30 øjóÑ©ªdGh (1) áæjóªdG áHGƒH ø«H
between the city gate (2) and the Great Temple (4) to its »°üëdG πàëJh .¬àëJ ɪY26åëÑdG 25 øe Gƒæµªà«d »dÉëdG ¬fɵe »a ¬©°Vhh ¬µ«µØJ
24
present location near the seaside. The black pebbles in the .»æWƒdG ∞ëàªdG »a á°Vhô©e AÉ°ùØ«°ùa πq ëe29¬£°Sh øjq õJ »àdG AGOƒ°ùdG
center of the theater mark the location of a mosaic that has 22
been preserved in the National Museum of Beirut. 23
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18

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19 Century
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House

20-28- Royal Tombs

32 34
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13
᫵∏ªdG
� øaGóªdG -28-20
31
12
The necropolis dates to the second millennium B.C. and 28 10 »a IQƒØëe QÉHBG á©°ùJ øe ∞dCÉàJ »gh
contains nine underground tombs of the Byblos kings. The 27 30 IôéM≈dEG É¡æe ôÄH πc»°†Øjo ,ôî°üdG
most important tomb is that of King Ahiram (10th century B.C.), 26 25 .»µ∏ªdG ¢ShhÉædG …ƒàëJ âfÉc á«q ÑfÉL
whose sarcophagus bears one the earliest known inscriptions 24 »àdG øaGóªdG √òg ¿CG øe ºZôdG ≈∏Yh
of the Phoenician alphabet. This sarcophagus is now located in 2911
äƒàMG ób .Ω.¥ á«fÉãdG ∞dC’G ≈dEG Oƒ©J
the National Museum of Beirut. The tomb of King Ahiram was 22 23 ∞ëàªdG ¬H ßØàëj ø«ªK ´Éàe ≈∏Y
located on the west slope facing the sea, but it was completely 21 ¥ÓWE’G ≈∏Y Égô¡°TCG ¿EÉa ,»æWƒdG
destroyed by a collapse in 1922, which 10m revealed 50m
Ahiram’s 100m 20
πªëj …òdG zΩGô«MCG{ ∂∏ªdG ¢ShhÉf
sarcophagus. 19 áHƒàµªdG ¢Uƒ°üædG
18 ΩóbCGh ∫ƒWCG óMCG
.á«≤«æ«ØdGájóéHC’ÉH
B

17 16 6

14 7

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House
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Visiting the site

33
™bƒªdG IQÉjR
29- Bronze Age Residential Quarter
32 34
M
31
á«æµ°ùdG AÉ«MC’G -29
At this site are the remains of a residential quarter dating to the 28 RƒëdG Gòg »a ájôKC’G ÉjÉ≤ÑdG
Bronze Age. The foundations of several houses can be seen, 27 30 äÉ°SÉ°SCG øe AGõLCG »g
giving the visitor a sense of the general layout of a residential 26 25 ≈dEG IóFÉ©dG á«æµ°ùdG AÉ«MC’G
area during this period. 24 .õfhôÑdG ô°üY
29 3
22 23
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14 7
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15 Free Parking
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House
8
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33
10

30- Roman Colonnade

32
M -3034
»fÉehQ ¥GhQ
31
These six standing columns once lined a north-south street, 11 …òdG ´QÉ°ûdG ¥GhQ øe AõL
28
built by the Romans in 300 A.D., which led to the Temple of ô°ü©dG »a π«ÑL ¥ôàîj ¿Éc
Baalat-Gebal (18). 27
26 25
30 (.Ω.Ü 300 »dGƒM)»fÉehôdG
10m 50m 100m 24
.á∏©ÑdG óÑ©e ≈dG »°†Øjo h
29
22 23
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14 7

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Visiting the site T

™bƒªdG IQÉjR 1

31-32- Bronze Age City Fortifications äÉb’Rh QGƒ°S33CG -32-31

These Bronze Age ramparts, walls, and fortifications are located
32
áãdÉãdG ø«ØdC’G 34
øe äÉb’Rh QGƒ°SCG
inside the modern wall on the right side of the Castle entrance. M ’G √òg ô¡¶oJ .á«fÉãdGh
ȈdG QGġSC
The structures show successive stages of construction and
31
ø«ªj ≈∏Y øe É¡JógÉ°ûe øµªj
restoration. The indented wall (31) belongs to the fortifications IóY á«q Ñ«∏°üdG á©∏≤dG ≈dEG πNGódG
built in the Early Bronze Age (third millennium B.C.), while the 28 ¿Éc GPEGh .º«eôJh AÉæH πMGôe
terraced slopes or glacis made of large blocks (32) date from 27 30 äÉYÉaO ≈dEG Oƒ©j øæq °ùªdG Qƒ°ùdG
the end of the Middle Bronze Age (1725-1580 B.C.). 26 25 áb’õdG ¿EÉa .Ω.¥ áãdÉãdG ∞dC’G
24
Iô«ÑµdG ájôéëdGπàµdGøe á«q æѪdG
29
22
»a z¢Sƒ°ùµ¡dG{ ô°üY ≈dEG Oƒ©J 3

21
23 .Ω.¥ á«fÉãdG ∞dC’G äÉjGóH
20
19
18

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17 16 6

14 7

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19th Century
House
33- Roman Nympheum P 8
»fÉehôdG AɪdG π«Ñ°S -33
Free Parking 13
12
Located to the left of T 10 íØ°S óæY ºî°†dG π«Ñ°ùdG Gòg ™≤j
the Castle entrance
1
óbh ,É¡«dEG πNGódG QÉ°ùj ≈dEG á©∏≤dG
are the foundations ≈dEG IóaGƒdG ¥ô£dG ™«ªL âfÉc
of a Roman-era »a »≤à∏J ∫ɪ°ûdG á¡L øe π«ÑL
nympheum. The 11 AÉæÑdG ÉeCG .¬eÉeCG á©bGƒdG áMÉ°ùdG
nympheum was 33 äGhɵ°ûªdG ¬æjq õJ âfɵa ¬æ«Y
once decorated .AɪdG ô«aGƒfh π«KɪàdGh
32 34
10m 50m
with fountains and
100m
M
a niche filled with
statues. The31roads
coming 28 into the 2
city27from the north 30
converged26 25 in the
area in front of 24 the 35
nympheum. 29 3
22 23
21

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19
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™bƒªdG IQÉjR
34- The Crusader Castle á«Ñ«∏°üdG á©∏≤dG -34
P
The site of the Crusader Castle was originally occupied by an Free Parking ø°üM á«Ñ«∏°üdG á©∏≤dG ≥Ñ°S
earlier fortification dating from the Fatimid period (969-1169 »a »ªWÉØdG ô°ü©dG »a º«bCG
A.D.). In the beginning of the 12th century A.D., the Crusaders T •ƒ≤°S ¿CG ô«Z .¬æ«Y ™°VƒªdG
built a strong fortress, reusing Roman stonework from the π©L
1 ø««Ñ«∏°üdG …ójCG »a π«ÑL
site and cutting new stones to match the old ones. The castle É¡©bƒe øe ¿hó«Øà°ùj A’Dƒg
consisted of a courtyard, an enclosure with four towers at á©∏b É¡«a Gƒª«≤«d É¡Äaôe øeh
each corner of the building, and a fifth tower in the middle of É¡FÉæH »a Gƒ∏ª©à°SG áæ«°üM
the north wall to defend the entrance. The whole castle was 33 IQÉéëdG øe Iô«Ñc äÉ«ªc
originally surrounded by a moat. In Mamluke and Ottoman
32 34
øe ÉgƒYõàfG »àdG IóªYC’Gh
times, the castle was reused and some parts of it were M ∞dCÉàJh .á≤HÉ°ùdG Qƒ°ü©dG á«æHCG
restored. Climbing to the top of the castle offers an excellent
31
¬H §«ëj »°ù«FQ êôH øe á©∏≤dG
vantage point for taking in a panoramic view of the ruins and á©HQCG ¬ªYóJ ™«æe Qƒ°Sh ,¢TƒM
the Mediterranean Sea. 28 º«bCG ¢ùeÉN2 êôHh ájhGR êGôHCG
27 30 IOÉjR »dɪ°ûdG QGóédG §°Sh »a
26 25 §«ëjh ,πNóªdG ø«°üëJ »a
24 35
á©∏≤dG ádÉM ÉeCG .¥óæN á©∏≤dÉH
29
22
ÉjÉ≤ÑdG3 ¢†©H ô¡¶oJ »¡a áægGôdG
21
23 AGõLC’G ≈dEG áaÉ°VE’ÉH ,᫪WÉØdG
äɪ«eôàdG ¢†©Hh á«Ñ«∏°üdG
19
20 ∂«dɪªdG …ô°üY ≈dEG IóFÉ©dG
18 .ø««fɪã©dGh
B

A 4

17 16 6

14 7

15
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19th Century
House
8
12 13
10

11

10m 50m 100m

 Visiting the site
™bƒªdG IQÉjR
35- Persian Castle
P
Free Parking á«°SQÉØdG á©∏≤dG -35
This complex dates from the Persian period (555-333TB.C.). It »°Sóæ¡dG ™ªq éªdG Gòg
is believed to be a castle because of its large masonry walls 1 á«°SQÉØdGIôàØdG≈dEG Oƒ©j
and the military and defensive aspects of its architecture. The óbh .(.Ω.¥ 330-550)
remains are located outside the Early Bronze Age city walls, á©∏≤dG º°SG ¬«∏Y ≥∏WCG
and today visitors can see foundations of the castle walls and ¬fGQóL áeÉî°V ÖÑ°ùH
square-shaped towers. The fact that a fortress was constructed 33 ÖÑ°ùHh ¬fÉ«æH áfÉàeh
here during this period shows that Byblos was a strategic part
32 34
™àªàj »àdG áfÉ°üëdG
of the Persian defense system in the eastern Mediterranean. M ∫óJ ô°UÉæY »gh ,É¡H
31
.ájôµ°ù©dG áØ°üdG ≈∏Y
28 2

27 30
26 25
24 35
29 3
22 23
21

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5
꟮dG 㮥L
áKGóëdÉH çGôàdG êõàªj å«M Ωƒ«dG π«ÑL ∫ÉM ∂∏J !ºjób Ö∏≤H áãjóM áæjóe
14
äÉ¡LGƒdG äGP á«æHC’Gh QhÉéàJ IOƒ≤©ªdG ¢ùFÉæµdGh á©∏≤dGh ºjó≤dG CÉaôªdG å«Mh
7 .á«q LÉLõdG
15
9 ∂©dÉ£j å«M áªjó≤dG É¡àbRCG è∏J ¿CG ∂«∏Y ,π«ÑL AGƒLCÉH ™àªàdG äOQCG GPEG ∂fCG ô«Z
.ÉgQGô°SCGh º¡àæjóe ÉjGõªH ∂fƒaôq ©«a ,IOƒ¡©ªdG º¡àaÉ«°V ø°ùëH É¡fɵ°S
19 Century
th

House
á©∏≤dG áªq b ≈dEG ó©°üJ ¿CG ’EG ∂«∏Y ɪa ,≥«ë°ùdG π«ÑL »°VÉe ±ôq ©J äOQCG GPEG ÉeCG
8 ¬àØ∏q N Ée ∑ó«H ¢ùª∏J hCG ∑ô¶æH πª°ûàd ,∂∏Ñb ¿hô«ãµdG É¡µ∏°S ÜhQO ôÑY ô«°ùJ hCG
12 13 .á«°VɪdG ¿hô≤dG É¡«a
10

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0m
 Byblos Historical Sites
á«îjQÉàdG π«ÑL Ió∏H ºdÉ©e ¢†©H
Saydet al-Najat Church IÉéædG Ió«°S á°ù«æc
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Saydet al-Najat Church (the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance) ɪHQ á«£fõ«H á°ù«æc ¢VÉ≤fG ≈∏Y ô°ûY ådÉãdGh ô°ûY »fÉãdG ø«fô≤dG ¿ƒ°†Z »a â«æH
Free Parking
is a Greek Orthodox church .á«fÉehQ á«FÉæH ô°UÉæY É¡FÉæH »a πª©à°SG óbh .…OÓ«e ¢SOÉ°ùdG ¿ô≤dG ≈dG Oƒ©J
built during the 12th-13th
centuries over the remains
of an older Byzantine
church. There are various
remains of the older
Byzantine church scattered
around in the church’s Saydet al-Najat Church
Medieval City W
gardens. The medieval,
fortress-like building has P
heavily buttressed walls. Free Parking
Many Roman architectural Harbor
elements are reused in its St. John Church
structure.
Wax Museum
Harbor Towers

Saint John the Baptist Church ¿G󪩪dG ÉæMƒj ¢ùjó≤dG á°ù«æc

Mosque
P
Cem
Known today as Saint John-Marcus Church, this church was built 1115 ΩÉY É¡FÉæÑH ô°TƒH .¢ùbôe ÉæMƒj ¢ùjó≤dG á°ù«æc º°SÉH Ék «dÉM áahô©e
Free Parking Fossil»ghMuseum
in several phases during the 12th-13th centuries. Construction ∞dCÉàJ »gh .ô°ûY ådÉãdGh ô°ûY »fÉãdG ø«fô≤dG ¿ƒ°†Z »a πMGôe ≈∏Y â∏ªµà°SGh
began in 1115, with additional structures added over time, such áÑb á«Hô¨dG á«dɪ°ûdG É¡àjhGR óæYh .ÜGôëªH É¡æe óMGh P πc »¡àæj áKÓK ¥ÉØfG øe Souk
as the Italianate-style cupola with an open air baptistery (13th ∞°Sƒj ô«e’G ≈£YG Al-Saydeh
óbh .󪩪cChurch Free Parking
πª©à°ùJ âfÉch ô°ûY Saydet
ådÉãdG ¿ô≤dG ƒ°†Z »a â«æH
century) in the northwest corner. In the 18th century, the church ∞°ü≤∏d â°Vô©J .ô°ûY øeÉãdG ¿ô≤dG »a á«fhQɪdG áØFÉ£dG ≈dG al-Bouebeh
á°ù«æµdG
Church √òg ÜÉ¡°T
was given to the Maronite community by Emir Youssef Chehab. It ΩÉY É¡ª«eôJ ó©H á«dÉëdG ¢SôédG áÑb É¡«∏Y âØ«°VG óbh 1840 ΩÉY »fÉ£jôÑdG
was severely damaged during the British bombardment of 1840, áªFÉb âfÉc á«£fõ«H á°ù«æc AÉ°ùØ«°ùa óLƒJ á°ù«æµdG ÜôZ ≈dG á≤jóëdG »a .1947
and, in 1947, it was restored and the bell tower was added. .™bƒªdG »a Ék ≤HÉ°S
The architectural style of the church is Roman but reflects the
oriental Byzantine influence. Each one of the church’s three
naves ends with a semi-circular apse. In the garden to the west
of the church, adjacent to the church courtyard, are traces of
mosaic paving and the foundations from an earlier Byzantine
church that once stood on this site.
Byblos Archaeological Site
 P
Free Parking

Byblos Historical Sites

á«îjQÉàdG π«ÑL Ió∏H ºdÉ©e ¢†©H
Medieval City Wall Qƒ°ùdG
Saydet al-Najat Church
The old, medieval part of Byblos is surrounded by walls running
Medieval City Wall »dGƒM óàªj …òdG Qƒ°ùdG Gòg QhòL Oƒ©J ób
about 270m from P east to west and 200m from north to south. øe Gk ôàe 200 h Üô¨dG ≈dG ¥ô°ûdG øe Gk ôàe 270
The north section of the wall is the best preserved. The walls
Free Parking ô«Z ø««Ñ«∏°üdG
P
ΩÉjG ≈dG ܃æédG ≈dG ∫ɪ°ûdG
were first constructed byHarbor
the Crusaders in the early-12th century, OĩJFree
Iô«ãc äɪ«eôJ ô¡¶j »dÉëdG ¬©°Vh ¿G
Parking
when the Crusader Castle was built. Since that period, the St. John Church
wall .»fɪã©dG ô°ü©dG äÉjGóHh ∂«dɪªdG ô°üY ≈dG
has been restored many times, and most parts of the visible Roman Road
upper structure date from the Mamluke and Ottoman periods. Wax Museum
Harbor Towers

The Harbor & Harbor Towers

Mosque Cemetery
P ¬LGôHGh CÉaôªdG
Free Parking Fossil Museum Saydet al-Najat Church
At the base of the historic quarter is the small harbor of Byblos. πNóe »ªëj ¿Éc
This harbor was probably used for fishing and not for trade P Souks »dɪ°ûdG π«ÑL CÉaôe
by the Phoenicians. The bottom of the current harbor Free Parking Saydet P
»a ɪgDhÉæH ºJ ¿ÉLôH
Al-Saydeh Churchis not al-Bouebeh Free Parking
deep enough to be able to receive the large ships used for the
Church Harbor óbh »Ñ«∏°üdG ô°ü©dG
Phoenicians’ active maritime trade. Archaeologists are still ¿ƒ°†Z »a ɪ¡ª«eôJSt.ºJJohn Churc
searching for the location of the ancient Phoenician harbor. .∂«dɪªdG ô°üY
The Crusaders built Harbor Towers
defensive towers on either
side of the mouth of the
port, and a chain could be
P
raised between the two
Free Parking
towers to prevent boats
from entering. The northernByblos Archaeological Site
P
tower was restored during Free Parkin
the Mamluke and Ottoman Al-Saydeh Church
eras and is still in fairly good
condition. Climb to the
top of the tower and look
down into the water to see
the remains of the ancient
quays. You can take a boat
ride in the harbor during
spring، summer, and fall.

Byblos Archaeol
 Saydet al-Najat Church
Medieval City Wall

Byblos Historical Sites

P
Free Parking

á«îjQÉàdG π«ÑL Ió∏H ºdÉ©eHarbor

¢†©H St. John Church
Roman Road

Saydet al-Bouebeh
Wax Museum

Church
Harbor Towers áHGƒÑdG Ió«°S
Mosque Cemetery ô«¨°U ≈∏°üe
k »gh
SaydetPal-Bouebeh Church óbh AGQò©∏d ¢Sôµe
(theFreeChurch
Parking of the Lady of Fossil Museum áHGƒÑdG øe ¬ª°SG òîJG
the Gate) is a small oratory »àdGh É¡bƒa ™≤j »àdG
built during the 18th
P Souks .…ƒ£°SƒdG Qƒ°ùdG ¥ôàîJ
Free Parking Saydet
century over a north gateAl-Saydeh
of Church al-Bouebeh ¿ô≤dG ≈dG Oƒ©J »gh
the city wall. Church .ô°ûY øeÉãdG

The Mosque of the Sultan Abdul Majid ó«éªdG óÑY ¿É£∏°ùdG óé°ùe
This small, Ottoman-era mosque was built in 1648 in the old ô«e’G πÑb øe 1783 ΩÉY ºeQ óbh 1648 ΩÉY √DhÉæH ºJ Ö©µe ¬Ñ°T ô«¨°U óé°ùe
historic quarter, and it was renovated by Emir Youssef Chehab áæªãe áfòÄe á«Hô¨dG á«dɪ°ûdG ¬àjhGR ≈∏Yh ájhôc ∞°üf áÑb √ƒ∏©J .ÜÉ¡°T ∞°Sƒj
in 1783. It has a semi-spherical cupola and an octagonal Byblos Archaeological Site .πµ°ûdG
minaret.

P
Free Parking

Saydet al-Najat Church

Medieval City Wall
Roman
P Road á«fÉehôdG ≥jô£dG
Free Parking
Harborof the road that runs north-south from the old
In the center π«ÑL áæjóe πNóe óæY ∂©dÉ£j
St. Johnmotorway,
coast road in the center of Byblos, to the coastal Church are »àdG á«fÉehôdG ≥jô£dG øe AôL
the remains of the Roman-era cardo maximus. About halfway Roman Road É¡WÓH øe ¢†©ÑH ßØàëJ âdGR Ée
Wax Museum
up the road are traces of the original Roman paving and a series »a É¡ª«eôJ ºJ »àdG É¡JóªYGh
or Towers of reconstructed columns from the colonnade that once lined .øjô°û©dG ¿ô≤dG äÉæ«©Ñ°S
the road.
Mosque Cemetery
P
Free Parking Fossil Museum
 Byblos Historical Sites
á«îjQÉàdG π«ÑL Ió∏H ºdÉ©e ¢†©H

Historic Quarter and Souks ¥Gƒ°S’Gh áªjó≤dG Ió∏ÑdG

In the southeast section of the historic city, near the entrance of ºJ »àdG áªjó≤dG π«ÑL ¥Gƒ°SG óLƒJ áªjó≤dG áæjóªdG øe á«HƒæédG á«bô°ûdG á¡édG »a
the archaeological site, is a small square built by Emir Youssef …ƒàëJ »gh .øjô°û©dG ¿ô≤dG äÉæ«©Ñ°S ∫ÓN QÉKBÓd áeÉ©dG ájôjóªdG πÑb øe É¡ª«eôJ
Chehab in the 18th century. The Mosque of the Sultan Abdul ≈dEG áaÉ°V’ÉH á«æØdGh á«KGôàdG ∞ëàdG ™«Ñd Iqó©ªdG Iô«¨°üdG ø«cÉcódG øe ójó©dG ≈∏Y
Majid and the Saydet al-Bouebeh Church are located in this .ºYÉ£ªdGh »gÉ≤ªdG
square. West of the square
is a vaulted passageway
leading to the old harbor.
East of the square are the
old souks (markets), which
have been restored by the
Department of Antiquities
in the 1970s. Here you
can shop for tourist items,
souvenirs, and antiques, or
simply stroll along the old
cobblestone streets and
enjoy the architecture.

Byblos Fossil Museum IôéëàªdG ∑ɪ°S’G ∞ëàe

P
The small Byblos Fossil Museum has impressiveFree Parking
displays ∑ɪ°S’G øe Ék YGƒfG Ék «Ñ°ùf ºéëdG ô«¨°üdG IôéëàªdG ∑ɪ°S’G ∞ëàe …ƒàëj
of fossilized fish, sharks, eel, flying fish, and other marine .IQƒªædGh ’ƒéMh πbÉM ™dÉ≤e øe É¡LGôîà°SG ºJ »àdG IôéëàªdG ájôëÑdG äÉfGƒ«ëdGh
life, some millions of years old. Many of these fossils were .áæjóªdG øe »bô°ûdG »HƒæédG RƒëdG »a áªjó≤dG ¥Gƒ°S’G á≤£æe »a ∞ëàªdG ™≤j
excavated from the mountains above Byblos, especially near
the towns of Haqel, Hjoula, and Nammoura. The museum is
located in the souks area, near the small square and entrance
to the archaeological site.

Saydet al-Najat Church

Medieval City Wall
Byblos Wax Museum P ™ª°ûdG ∞ëàe
Free Parking
The Byblos Wax Museum, founded in 1970, Harbor
displays lifelike π«ÑL »a ™ª°ûdG ∞ëàe Å°ûfG
wax figures that illustrate St. John Church ôãcG ≈∏Y …ƒàëj ƒgh 1970 ΩÉ©dG
Lebanon’s history. Over 24 Roman
k
πãªJ ™ª°ûdG øe ’ÉãªJ Road
120 øe
scenes and 120 life-sized Wax Museum áaÉ°V’ÉH IRQÉH á«fÉæÑd äÉ«°üî°T
Harbor Towers
statues describe in detail ájhô≤dG IÉ«ëdG ∫ɵ°TG øe OóY ≈dG
such things as ancient øe IÉMƒà°ùªdG ógÉ°ûªdG ¢†©Hh
customs and legends, Mosque á«q îjQÉàdG çGóMC’Gh ô«WÉ°SC’G
traditional rural P life, and
Cemetery.π«ÑL á≤£æªH á≤∏q ©àªdG
major figures and events
Free Parking Fossil Museum
in Lebanese history. The
museum is located in the P Souks
historic quarter, near the Free Parking Saydet
Al-Saydeh Church al-Bouebeh
old souks and the Saint Church
John Church.
Prehistorical & Historical Periods of Lebanon

Prehistory Modern Times

Stone Age ~800,000-4,500 B.C. Ottoman Period 1516-1914 A.D.
Paleolithic ~800,000-12,000 Emirs Period 1544-1842
Mesolithic-Epipaleolithic 12,000-7,500 Maanid 1544-1698
Neolithic 7,500-4,500 Chehabite 1698-1842
Chalcolithic Period 4,500-3,500 B.C. The Two Qa’imaqamiyat 1842-1861
The Mutasarifiyat 1861-1914

Antiquity Contemporary Period

Bronze Age - Canaanite Period 3,500-1,200 B.C.
Early Bronze 3,500-2,000 First World War 1914-1918 A.D.
Middle Bronze 2,000-1,600 The Peace Conference and
Late Bronze 1,600-1,200 the creation of the state
Iron Age - Phoenician Period 1,200-333 B.C. of Great Lebanon 1918-1920 A.D.
Iron Age I 1,200-900
Iron Age II 900-555 French Mandate Period 1920-1943 A.D.
Assyrian Period 745-612
Neo-Babylonian Period 587-555 Independent Lebanon 1943 A.D.
Iron Age III - Persian Period 555-333
Hellenistic Period 333-64 B.C.
Roman Period 64 B.C. - 399 A.D.
Byzantine Period 399-636 A.D.

MIiddle Ages
Rachidite Period 632-661 A.D.
Umayyad Period 661-750 A.D.
Abbasid Period 750-969 A.D.
Fatimid Period 969-1169 A.D.
Crusades Period 1099-1291 A.D.
Ayoubid Period 1169-1250 A.D.
Mamluke Period 1250-1516 A.D.

● Most of the text is taken from: : øe ¢Uƒ°üædG º¶©e äòNCG ●

● The pamphlet “BYBLOS,” text: Elian Larwood, Marilyn Raschka,
Dr. Hassan Salamé-Sarkis, © The Ministry of Tourism.
.áMÉ«°ùdG IQGRh äGQƒ°ûæe ,¢ù«cô°S ¬eÓ°S ¿É°ùM
q QƒàcódG ¢üf ,zπ«ÑL{ ¢SGôq c ●
Maps & text compilation: Assaad Seif. .∞«°S ó©°SCG :¢Uƒ°üædG ≥«°ùæJ h §FGôîdG OGóYEG
www.DestinationLebanon.com
 Glossary

Apse: Semi-circular area at the east end of a

church, often with a domed or vaulted roof.

Apsidal: An adjective given to a hall having a

semi-circular shape.

Colonnade: A set of evenly spaced columns.

Cupola: Dome.

Glacis: A slight incline in front of a fortified place.

Minaret: A tall, slender tower attached to a Mosque

with one or more balconies, used to broadcast
the call to prayers.

Nave: The central space in a church.

Necropolis: Burial site, cemetery.

Niche: A recess in a wall, often containing a statue,

bust, or vase.

Nympheum: A monumental fountain.

Oratory: A small chapel, often used for private prayer.

Ramparts: A city wall.

Sarcophagus: A stone or marble coffin or tomb.