Attractions in Lebanon: photo and description

On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea there is a mysterious country, which opens for tourists a mysterious world of the East. It is so small that it can be crossed by car in one day. Bordering with Syria and Israel, the state has an ancient history, and it will tell about the main attractions of Lebanon, the description of which is found in all tourist avenues.

Getting to know a small country with an ancient history

Unfortunately, the country in the Middle East is not associated with many foreigners with Europe. Travelers rarely choose this route, but in vain. This is the only Islamic state in the world where eastern customs are combined with European freedom, and a full nightlife will be enjoyed by everyone who is accustomed to round the clock entertainment.

An original country with a rich culture will surprise even the experienced tourists with a unique architectural heritage. Archaeological sights of Lebanon cause awe and delight, and their authorship is attributed not to people, but to newcomers from other planets, so you can not miss the opportunity to admire unusual buildings.

It is worth noting that this is a country whose beauty of landscapes is the only desire to stay here forever. To view the picturesque corners best of all in isolation, so as not to break the fragile unity with nature. In a matter of minutes you can move from winter to summer, and after the descent on alpine skiing through blinding white snow get into warm Mediterranean waters.

Few facts about Lebanon

This is a very small state, and the total number of people speaking in Arabic is about four million. On its territory long before our era there were developed civilizations, therefore here it is possible to get acquainted with various evidences of the past epochs.

The coat of arms of the country depicts Lebanese cedar, which grows only in this area and is considered a national pride. In ancient Egypt, coffins were made from it, and the Phoenicians used to build ships.

Recognized as a real paradise for all archaeologists and historians repeatedly mentioned in the Bible is Lebanon. Sights, photos of which can not always convey their amazing beauty, enjoy the well-deserved attention of all holidaymakers who dream to join the beautiful.

Tips for tourists

A visa for Russian tourists who want to relax in Lebanon for not more than 90 days, opens after the arrival, right at the airport. In other cases, it will have to be issued at the embassy of the state, which is located in Moscow. If the stay in the country does not exceed 48 hours, then the visa is not needed, and the fee, ranging from $ 35 to $ 90, is not paid. However, it is necessary to know that those who previously visited Israel, as evidenced by the marks in the passport, cross the Lebanese border will not work. And it is worth paying attention to the appearance - on the clothes there should be no inscriptions in Hebrew.

The duration of the flight on the route Moscow - Beirut lasts four hours. Often payment for goods is issued in USD, so do not rush to change them to local currency (LBP - Lebanese pound).

The best time to get acquainted with the country is spring and autumn. Summer heat reaches 40 degrees, and in winter heavy rains come.

Byblos - the oldest city on the planet

So, what to see in Lebanon for foreigners who first got into a magical oriental tale?

It is believed that the most ancient city of the Earth is located exactly here, and that is Byblos. Ten thousand years ago the first inhabitants appeared on its territory, which built temples, citadels, theaters. Tourists who visited the unique sights of Lebanon admit that they felt the atmosphere of an ancient city, in which different traditions and cultures were mixed.

Byblos is interesting because a few centuries ago it was the first graffiti, and the artist himself was Ramses II.

Baalbek, where the giants lived

No less mysterious is Baalbek, located 80 kilometers from Beirut. Received the name "city of the sun", it was destroyed by strong earthquakes, but even the ruins of old buildings silently tell us about the scale of the buildings and the unique talent of the workers.

Some temples, partially preserved to this day, were built over two thousand years, which is difficult for modern tourists to understand. The creation of massive structures is attributed to representatives of extraterrestrial civilizations, since ancient masters could not independently build giant structures. One stone block weighs more than a thousand tons, and from these monolithic blocks are made famous temples of Jupiter and Bacchus.

The ruins of Anjar

The sights of Lebanon are not only ancient temples, but also the ruins of a majestic palace that appeared in the 8th century in the city of Anjar. Archaeologists have been working in this territory for several decades, which has not given rest to scientists. The ruins of the residence of the Caliph, the mosque, fortifications, term, the urban market give some idea of the life and way of life of the population. The vast territory of the palace Walid I is under the protection of UNESCO.

Paris of the Middle East

The capital of the state is Beirut, which has become a commercial and cultural center of Lebanon. The port city is located on the Mediterranean coast and is extremely rich in historical monuments. Here, as nowhere else, Arab customs are combined with the democratic spirit of Europe. Famous sights of Lebanon (photos with descriptions can be found in each guidebook) best reflect the history of the distant state. Thus, the spirit of the colonial country, which gained independence in 1943, is hovering in the Solidere district, in which all the buildings are decorated in French style.

The National Museum of Beirut, where more than a thousand archaeological artifacts are stored, impresses every visitor, and Planet Discovery will be of interest not only for toddlers interested in the natural sciences, but also for their parents.

Not Made with State Monuments

The natural sights of Lebanon often become the main reasons for visiting a colorful country.

The two caves of Jaita, stretching for nine kilometers, represent a miraculous miracle that is located in the same settlement. In the lower galleries you can only get on the boat, as they are filled with an underground river. The upper ones are interconnected by numerous tunnels and passages, and the largest hall reaches 120 meters in height. Without exaggeration, it can be said that this is the most popular man-made monument in Beirut.

Near the city of Tannorin there is a real natural phenomenon, falling from a height of 255 meters in three overhanging caves, which appeared in the Jurassic period. The waterfall of Baatar, which is more than 160 million years old, was discovered in the 50s of the last century, and since then has enjoyed a well-deserved fame among tourists. But he accumulates the greatest power in winter, when the snow melts, and cascades of water through the underworld collapse into the abyss.

When it comes to the most beautiful sights of Lebanon, we can not fail to mention the Dove rocks, which got their name because they have from time immemorial birds' nests. They attract not only admiring vacationers, but also professional photographers who emphasize the uniqueness of this quiet corner in their works. Two crooked islands, lost in the turquoise sea, are considered an authentic decoration of Beirut.

We tried to tell about the main historical and natural sights of Lebanon. The list of places to be touched at least once in life can be continued for a long time: the soap museum in the Saida, the Mussalayha castle in Batrun, the settlement of Bsharre, where the monasteries, the Jounieh resort with the mountain Kharisa and many others are carved into the rocks.

An original country carefully preserves its historical heritage, and tourists seem to be transferred to the past, becoming participants of important events. It is impossible to see all the monuments of Lebanon even for a week, so it's worth thinking about a long rest on a hospitable land.