Lebanon

Dec 2011

The earliest evidence of civilization in Lebanon dates back more than 7,000 years – predating recorded history. Lebanon was the home of the Phoenicians, a maritime culture that flourished for nearly 2,500 years (3000 – 539 BC). Its location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has also dictated its rich history, and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity.

More recently its known for its civil war and conflicts with neighbouring Israel. Although there has been been a relative calm since 2006 and the country is slowly rebuilding.

Pigeon Rock — Pigeon Rock
A natural rock formation just of the coast of the Raouché district in Beirut. Quite a popular destination for locals and tourists to take photos.

Crusader View — Crusader View
A view through part of the Crusader sea castle ruins as a fisherman tries his luck. In the distance is Sidon.

Crusader Castle — Crusader Castle
The ruins of this 13th century Crusader castle jut out into the sea at Sidon

Soap — Soap
Soap drying on a rack at the Audi Foundation Soap Museum

The Streets Below — The Streets Below
Underneath and at the back of some of the buildings in SIdon run narrow alleys and a small souk.

Coffee Pots — Coffee Pots
A couple of coffee pots sit on the mantlepiece above the fire in a family home

Beittedine Palace — Beittedine Palace
A view from the courtyard of the palace

Ornate Bay Window — Ornate Bay Window
A carved wooden bay window stands out from the walls of the Beittendine Palace

Nativity Float — Nativity Float
The hearland of Lebanon is quite Christian and we ran across this float containing Joseph, Mary and Jesus complete with Shepard and sheep on the way to dinner one evening

Old and New — Old and New
Beirut is slowly rebuilding. Here a bombed and bullet-marked building stands next to a new development

Mosaic

Sarcophagus Relief

Place de L'Etoile

Golden Pulpit

Rebuilding — Rebuilding
In the foreground, the statue in Martyr's Square. In the background redevelopment pushes ahead

Dome — Dome
Interior of the mosque

Monastery Above Dog River — Monastery Above Dog River
A figure of Christ with outstretched arms sits atop a monastery next to the dog river.

Ruins in the Mist — Ruins in the Mist
The ruins of a Roman Temple looms out of the mist and snow.

St Pauls Cathederal — St Pauls Cathederal
The view of St Pauls Cathederal from Our Lady of Lebanon

Our Lady of Lebanon — Our Lady of Lebanon
Famous staue of the virgin Mary near Harissa

Church Mosiacs — Church Mosiacs
Decoration and pews inside the cathederal

Upon High — Upon High
Decorations within the roof domes of the cathederal

O Tannenbaum — O Tannenbaum
A stylized christmas tree in Byblos

Stars in the Sky — Stars in the Sky
Simple decorations hung above the narrow old souk street

Cobbled Street — Cobbled Street
An archway leads off the souk

Astoria — Astoria
Light spills froma bar in the old part of Byblos

Castle and Temple — Castle and Temple
The pillars from a temple sit next to the ruins of a crusader castle

Harbour Path — Harbour Path
A tree covered path leads down to the harbour in Byblos

Sunday Service — Sunday Service
Kids play outside the church of St Jean Marc in Byblos whiel they wait for the service inside to finish.

Harbour — Harbour
A view across Byblos harbour with the old town and castle ruins on the far side.

Through the window — Through the window
A view of the city of Tripoli in Northern Lebanon from the hill top castle

Armed — Armed
There are still numerous checkpoint and armed soldiers on the streets of Lebanon

Streetlife — Streetlife
A old lady carries her shopping back home down one of the back streets

Crowded Souk — Crowded Souk
Just after taking this photo as we walked down the souk we stumbled though the aftermath of an armed stand-off between two guys

Phoenician Sea Wall — Phoenician Sea Wall
An ancient sea wall built by the Phoenicians

Watching the Sunset — Watching the Sunset
Two people talk by an archway as the sun sets over the sea.

Tree and Church

Snowy Mountains — Snowy Mountains
Orange roof tiled houses sit in the shadow of the snowy mountains

Deep Snow — Deep Snow
Walking to the Cedar Reserve

Cedars of Lebanon — Cedars of Lebanon
Many of the Cedar forests have been destroyed but this forest high in the mountains is now a protected reserve

Sunset over Bcharre — Sunset over Bcharre
A view from the Gibran Museum across to the town of Bsharreh as the sun sets

Church Cave — Church Cave
The church, part of St Antonio's Monastery, was originally a cave in the hillside

St Antonio's Church

Hillside Cross — Hillside Cross
High on the mountainside a cross looms above the monastery deep in the valley

Hillside Farm — Hillside Farm
A small house sits nestled amongst the terraced fields in Qashida Valley