▲Downtown Beirut. A forest of gleaming skyscrapers surround the impressive central Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque.

▲Inaugurated in 2008 the mosque, designed to evoke Ottoman monumental architecture, dominates the Beirut skyline.

▲The mighty Temple of Bacchus is one of the most beautifully decorated temples in the Roman world.

▲The ruins at Baalbek also include vestiges of the Temple of Jupiter. The remaining columns stand 30 m (98 ft) high with a diameter of 2.5 m (8 ft).

▲A cherished UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cedars of God represent the last vestiges of the extensive forests of the Lebanon cedar that were once abundant across Mount Lebanon in ancient times.

▲The impressive ruins of a Umayyad palace distinguish this town, which is located in the Bekaar Valley.

▲Byblos, also referred to as Jibayl, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The attractive fishing port is celebrated for its extensive and variously dated UNESCO protected archaeological sites.

▲The impressive ruins include a temple erected around 2700 BCE, a necropolis dated back to the second millennium BCE, and a Roman theater. Enclosing the port are the 12th-century walls of a Crusader castle.

▲The Al Mina archaeological site near Lebanon's second city is distinguished for the row of columns that loom over an street paved with geometrical Roman and Byzantine mosaics.

▲The Beirut neighborhood of Raouché is known for a natural landmark known as the Pigeons' Rock, a favorite with photographers.

▲The beating heart of central Beirut, the square, also called Place de l'Étoile, is fringed with bars, cafes, and restaurants. The landmark 1930s clock tower features a four-faced Rolex clock.

▲The town is also famous for the Gibran Museum, dedicated to the Lebanese writer, philosopher, and artist Khalil Gibran (1883–1931).

▲The Kadisha Valley, known also as the Qadisha Valley, has sheltered Christian monastic communities for many centuries, a fact recognized by UNESCO when it declared the region a World Heritage Site. The valley is also the location of several natural caves used throughout prehistory as shelters and burial places.

▲The "City of Wine and Poetry" is a favorite Bekaar Valley destination for Lebanese and foreign visitors alike, drawn to its pleasant climate, cosmopolitan vibe, and excellent wines.

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Located in Tannourine, this awesome waterfall tumbles 255 m (837 ft) into the Baatara Pothole, cascading behind three natural bridges along the way before disappearing down into a 240-m (790 ft) chasm.

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An incongruous midtown location adds to the fascination of this well preserved Roman bath, surrounded by government buildings and office blocks.

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Tucked away in the Chouf Mountains, this wonderful 19th-century palace is worth seeking out for its delightful architecture. Some rooms feature carved and painted cedar wood embellished with ornate Arab calligraphy.

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A view over Beirut's suburbs from the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.

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Stark beauty, untrodden terrain, and a real sense of isolation lend genuine mystique to the highest point in Lebanon and the Levant.

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So named for the Lebanese nationalists executed in May 1916 by Ottoman Turks, the square's centerpoint is an iconic bullet-ridden statue—damage sustained during the Lebanese Civil War.

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Harissa is the location of the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon—an important pilgrimage site—and the modern Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral.

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The Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, a stronghold set over the city, is named for the Count of Toulouse, a 12th-century Crusader commander.

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A treasure trove of antiquities and medieval finds, Lebanon's principal museum of archaeology boasts an array of beautifully carved sarcophagi.

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One of Lebanon's great natural wonders and a popular tourist attraction, this limestone cave complex near Beirut spans nearly 9 km (5.5 mi) and features an underground river.

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The Temple of the Obelisks dates back to 1600-1200 BCE. Many of the ancient artifacts unearthed here are now on display in the National Museum of Beirut.

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Other Al Mina highlights include a sprawling Roman bathhouse from the 2nd or 3rd century CE. The entire Al Mina area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Built by the Crusaders in the 13th century, the picturesque castle sits on a small island over the site of a former Phoenician temple.

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Once the byword for civil strife, Lebanon has long banished its image as a nation divided by war. Today, this diminutive Eastern Mediterranean country is reinventing itself as a peaceful, prosperous, and inviting tourist destination.

Browse the gallery and find out why you should visit this ancient and fascinating land.

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In winter this picturesque town, nestling at an altitude of around 1,450 m (4,760 ft) to 3,088 m (10,131 ft), is sugar-coated with snow. It's home to Lebanon's oldest skiing area, the Cedars Ski Resort.

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Beirut's unique 'Hope for Peace,' a pyramid honeycombed with tanks and other military vehicles, is the official monument commemorating the end of Lebanon's bloody 15-year civil war.

The lure of Lebanon

Discover this tiny Eastern Mediterranean nation

22/11/22 por StarsInsider

TRAVEL Lebanon

Once the byword for civil strife, Lebanon has long banished its image as a nation divided by war. Today, this diminutive eastern Mediterranean country is reinventing itself as a peaceful, prosperous, and inviting tourist destination.

Browse the gallery and find out why you should visit this ancient and fascinating land.