(Roman
Temples
and
skiing
60
km)
Faqra,
approached
through
a
labyrinth
of
limestone
formations
known
as
“houses
of
ghosts,”
is
known
for
its
temples
and
its
good
skiing.
The
temple
site
is
also
the
venue
of
a
summer
cultural
festival.
The
temples
of
Qalaat
Faqra
at
1,550
meters
are
the
most
extensive
Roman
ruins
of
all
Mount
Lebanon.
About 50 meters north-west of the tower is a large altar, probably associated with the tower itself. Not far away is a colonnaded altar. The main temple, dedicated to a “very great god,” is a rewarding place to investigate, with its restored columns and the remains of an altar. It had a square courtyard which was surrounded by a colonnade on three sides.
Continuing down the slope you reach the small temple, dedicated to “the Syrian goddess,” a local form of the goddess Atargatis. Also note the basin in the floor and the benches along the side wall. This temple was made into a church in the 4th century AD.
The ski trails of the Faqra Club, located south of Ouyoun es-Siman (Faraya-Mzaar) at 1,750 meters, overlook the sea and the bay of Beirut. Members only, but special arrangements are available for tourists.
Also in the Faqra area is the Jisr el Hajar, or natural bridge carved over the centuries by wind and water. The 34-meter bridge is so perfect it is hard to believe it was created by nature.
Once a Roman-Byzantine settlement, the entire site is littered with remains of more temples, a second bath and a colonnaded street.
(BYBLOS - JEITA GROTTO - TRIPOLI - SIDON - ZAHLÉ - BAALBECK)
(THE CEDARS - TYRE - BEITEDDINE - AANJAR)
EGYPT - SYRIA - JORDAN