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Danny's space7月12日 LEBANON-8BAALBECK
Baalbeck, Lebanon's greatest Roman treasure, can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, they are also among the best preserved. The gods worshipped here were the Triad of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury.
Baalbeck's temples were built on an ancient tell that goes back at least to the end of the third millennium B.C. An enclosed court was built on the ancient tell. An alter was set in the center of this court in the tradition of the biblical Semitic high places. During the Hellenistic period (333-46 B.C. ) the Greeks identified the god of baalbeck with the Sun God and the city was called Heliopolis or City of the Sun.
Over the ancient court, the Romans placed the present Great Court of the Temple of Jupiter.
The Great Court Complex of the Temple of Jupiter altars and basins, was built in the 2 nd century A.D. The Propylaea and the Hexagonal Court of the Jupiter Temple were added in the 3 rd century. Work was completed in the mid-3 rd century. The small circular structure known as the Temple of Venus, was probably finished at this time as well.
The temple complex of Baalbeck is made up of the Jupiter Temple and the Bacchus Temple adjacent to it. A short distance away is the circular structure known as the Temple of Venus. Only part of the staircase remains of a fourth temple dedicated to Mercury, on Sheikh Abdallah hill.
7月10日 LEBANON-7NORTH
The North claims Lebanon's highest peak, Qornat Al Sawda and the famous Lebanese Cedars with two important agricultural areas Al Koura : famous for its olives, and Akkar : famous for citrus fruits.
Descending down to the sea lies Lebanon's second largest city and important trading port, Tripoli , a historical legend in its own right.
The climate in the North differs widely from ice capped mountains in the winter to hot humid summers at the sea shore. The North also enjoys some of the most famous summer resorts in Lebanon such as Ehden, ski resorts such as the Cedars, and a luxurious collections of first class holiday beach resorts scattered along the Mediterranean shore. Batroun A Phoenician town mentioned in ancient Egyptian tablets. It claims to be a pirates' hideout in ancient times. A visit to its cathedral will prove rewarding. A few kilometers away is the Museilha Castle, a fairy tale fortress from the 16th century.
Amyoun The largest town in Koura and famous for its olives and olive oil. It has many interesting churches one of which is built on the foundations of a Roman Temple, and another has Byzantine frescoes. In the city's cliffs are the unique rock cut Tombs from Roman and Byzantine periods. Balamand Abbey in Koura was built in 1157 during the second crusade. Sharing its grounds is the modern Balamand University.
Tripoli was founded by the Phoenicians 800 BC. Modern day Tripoli combines the past and present with many historical structures dating back to the Crusade and Islam periods, still standing intact and inhabited. Particularly famous are the old Souks or “Khans” where tradesmen still trade since thousands of years ago. Tripoli is particularly famous for its Middle Eastern desserts and Sweets.
Places of most interest are:
7月8日 LEBANON-6BYBLOS
About 7,000 years ago a small Neolithic fishing community settled along the shore and several of their monocellular huts with crushed limed stone floors can be seen on the site. Many tools and weapons of this stone age period have been found as well.
The Chalcolithic Period (4,000-3,000 B.C.) saw a continuation of the same way of life, but brought with it new burial customs where the deceased were laid in large pottery jars and buried with their earthly possessions. By the beginning of the Early Bronze Age (about 3000 B.C.). Canaanite Byblos had developed into the most important timber shipping center on the eastern Mediterranean and ties with Egypt were very close. The pharaohs of the Old Kindgom needed the cedar and other wood for shipbuilding, tomb construction and funerary ritual. In return, Egypt sent gold, alabaster, papyrus rope and linen. Thus began a period of prosperity, wealth and intense activity. Several centuries later 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 gifts to Byblos. Treasures from the royal tombs of Byblos show the great wealth that flooded the city. Around 1200 B.C. a wave of the so called "Sea Peoples" from the north spread to the eastern Mediterranean, and some settled on the southern coast of Canaan. These seafarers probably contributed their skills to maritime society we know today as Phoenicia.
About this same time the scribes of Byblos developed an alphabetic phonetic script, the precursor of our modern alphabet. By 800 B.C., it had traveled to Greece, changing forever the way man communicated. the earliest form of the Phoenician alphabet found to date is the inscription on the sarcophagus of King Ahiram of Byblos Throughout the first millennium B.C., Byblos continued to benefit from trade in spite of Assyrian and Babylonian encroachments. Then came the Persians who held sway from 550-330 B.C. The remains of a fortress outside the Early Bronze Age city walls from this period show that Byblos was a strategic part of the Persian defense system in the eastern Mediterranean.
After conquest by Alexander the Great, Byblos was rapidly hellenized and Greek became the language of the local intelligentsia. During this Hellenistic Period (330-64 B.C.), residents of Byblos adopted Greek customs and culture. 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 395 A.D. In Byblos they built large temples, baths and other public buildings as well as a street bordered by a colonnade that surrounded the city. There are few remains of the Byzantine Period (395-637 A.D.) in Byblos, partly because construction was of soft sandstone and generally of poor quality.
Byzantine stones were also quarried for later buildings. During this era the city became the see of a Christian bishopric. Under Arab rule beginning 637 A.D. Byblos was generally peaceful but it had declined in importance over the centuries and archeological evidence from this period is fragmentary.
In 1104 Byblos fell to the Crusaders who came upon large stones and granite columns of the Roman buildings and used them for their castle and moat. With the departure of the Crusaders, Byblos continued under Mamluke and Ottoman rule as a small fishing town, and its antiques remains were gradually covered with dust. 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 which confirmed trade relations between Byblos and ancient Egypt. Maurice Dunand began his work in Byblos in 1925 and continued with various campaigns until 1975. For a real taste of Byblos, stroll through the streets and byways. This part of town is a collection of old walls (some medieval) overlapping properties and intriguing half-ruins. Don't hesitate to explore. Should you happen to intrude on someone's property the hospitable townspeople will be pleased to show you around.
The area of excavations is surrounded by a wall with the entrance at the Crusader castle. To get a good view of this large, somewhat complex site, either climb to the top of castle or walk around the periphery from outside the wall to identify the major monuments. After visiting the archeological site, a quick and entertaining introduction to Lebanon's past can be found at the Wax Museum near the castle. The wax figures illustrate scenes from the history and rural life of the country. There is a modest entrance fee. With its many restaurants, snack bars, souvenir shops and hotels, Byblos is well prepared to welcome tourists. Out of old Byblos and into the town's higher elevations in the foothills are a number of very old churches such as the catacomb-like Mar Nohra cut from rock and the Mar Semaan chapel. Just north of Byblos, Amchit sits on the coast and climbs briefly up the lower elevations of Mt. Lebanon. This town has the country's only organized campsite, a pleasant, clean place with attractive beaches available to campers. The town is well known for its lovely traditional houses. Among others, there is the home of the French writer Ernest Renan who lived in Amchit in the 19th century. Nahr Ibrahim, 6 kilometers south of Byblos. This valley of the ancient Adonis River is one of the most wild and beautiful in Lebanon. The road leads to the source at Afqa high in the mountains, where you will find the ruins of the great temple of Aphrodite-Venus in front of the cave. 7月5日 LEBANON-4Bekaa
Bekaa lies between the two parallel mountain ranges in Lebanon. It is a fertile land irrigated by the Litany river and is the largest agricultural area in Lebanon, with an advance d winery industry of
international standards. It is the tip of the Great Rift Valley that stretches into Africa. The Phoenician inscriptions of 1400 BC has described the Bekaa as the Place for the Gods. Bekaa is also rich in archaeology and history has left some of its most famous monuments scattered all over this region.
What to See :
6月30日 LEBANON-3THE CEDARS
Simply known as the “The Cedars,” this resort settlement in Lebanon's highest range is one of the most dramatically beautiful spots in the country. Its centerpiece is an ancient grove of cedars, a tree synonymous for millennia with Lebanon itself. Just below The Cedars is the town of Bsharre, birthplace of Gibran Khalil Gibran.
History
The Cedar is an historical entity mentioned often in the Bible and other ancient text and it played an important part in the culture, trade and religious observances of the ancient Middle East. Serious exploitation of these forests began in the third millennium B.C., with coastal towns and the timber trade with Egypt. The Phoenicians themselves made use of the cedars, especially for their merchant fleets.
SKIING IN THE CEDARS
The scenery and the quality of the snow make The Cedars an exceptional skiing venue. The pistes form a natural amphitheater, and the high elevation means the season usually lasts from December through April. There are also four baby slopes with lifts. Snack bars, hotels and restaurants service the ski area.
Hadeth al-Jubbeh A town which goes back to at least the early 6 th century A.D. with a wonderful view of Qadisha valley.
Diman The summer residence of the Maronite Patriarch since the 19 th century. The site overlooks the Monastery of Qannoubin, an early seat of the Patriarchy. From Diman a steep path takes you down to the gorge.
Hasroun A red-roofed town that hugs the edge of the Qadisha Valley. This village known for its picturesque dwellings, old churches and gardens. A pleasant pathway descends from here past several ancient churches into the Qadisha valley.
Bgaa Kafra Reached via a turnoff from Bqorqacha is the highest village in the country at 1,600 meters. This picturesque town is also the birthplace of Lebanon's famous Saint Charbel, born in 1828.
Bsharre The hometown of Gibran Khalil Gibran.
Hadchit Dramatically perched on ledge over the gorge. Traditional houses and streets, the typical town square and some old churches.
On the old road between The Cedars and Bsharre a long path on the side of the cliff leads to the small Qadisha Grotto. Bellow the cave gushes out a powerful waterfall, especially full in the spring months. It is possible to visit the cave, which is lighted to show the limestone formation. LEBANON'S HIGHEST PEAK You can ascend the 3088-meter high Qornet es-Sawda (or black horn ) by foot or take advantage of a rough track suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles.
6月28日 LEBANON-2Mount Lebanon
Mount Lebanon is the central region, covering the frontal mountain range and the coast below it, resulting in a region of great variety and natural beauty.
The climate varies greatly between different areas of Mount Lebanon and the cool summer breeze in the mountains makes its towns an ideal summer resort, while the snow capped mountains in the winter attracts people for skiing and sight seeing.
The coastal strip below includes bustling cities and beach resorts, surrounded by an agricultural area producing banana and oranges. Mount Lebanon is very rich in archaeological sites and historical cities and towns with many tourist attractions and famous hotels and restaurants.
What’s more, all interesting towns and cities in the Mount Lebanon are no more than one hour’s drive from Beirut.
Jounieh and Kaslik A small red roofed town that has grown into a bustling city with modern buildings and active night life stealing the show from Beirut. Its shopping centres, hotels and restaurants compete with the best in the world.
Jounieh lies on a beautiful bay making it an ideal beach resort
Every visitor should take a ride in the telefrique up to Harissa where the Lady of Lebanon stands high and mighty 620 m above sea level with fantastic views down below of the bay of Jounieh and the whole of Beirut. What to see
Summer Resorts
Winter Resorts
Where to Stay Mount Lebanon enjoys lovely views and cool summers in the mountainous areas, as well as luxury beach resorts with all facilities for the city levers. Food and Drink 6月22日 LEBANON-1Location: Located on the East coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon is at the meeting point of three continents: Europe , Asia and Africa . Lebanon has been the crossroad of many civilizations ; the traces of which can still be seen today. Its countryside is a place of rocks, cedar trees and magnificent ruins that look down from the mountains to the sea.
Area: 4000 sq m (10452 sq km)
Lebanese Flag: The Lebanese flag is composed of red, white and red horizontal stripes, with a green cedar in the middle of the center white stripe Major Cities: Beirut (Capital 1.3 m), Tripoli, Sidon, Zahle, Tyre and Jounieh.
Climate: Lebanon enjoys an essential four season Mediterranean climate with rainy winters, moderate springs, warm summers and regular autumns, with an average of 300 sunny days a year.
Population:
Ethnic Groups: Lebanon encompasses a great mix of cultures and ethnic groups which have been building up for more than 6000 years. Most of the Lebanese are descendants of the Phoenicians/Canaanites and/or West Aramaic (50-70%). The second largest ethnic group in Lebanon descends from Arabs (20-30%). Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Hebrews, Kurds, Persians and others form about 10%.
Religions: There is no state religion in Lebanon . However, Lebanon officially recognizes 17 religious sects of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The estimate of religion distribution in Lebanon now is about 1% minorities, 40% Christians and about 60% Muslims.
Languages: Lebanese (Spoken), Arabic (Formal), French, English and Armenian
Education: About 60% of the schools in Lebanon use French as their basic language of education, about 20% use English, while 20% use both French and English as basic languages for education. Arabic language and Literature are taught in all schools, and the Arabic language is used in some schools for Philosophy, History and Sociology material.
Although a tiny country; Lebanon is well known for its American and European colleges and universities. The best-known American-system educational institutions are the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanese American University (LAU), Notre Dame University (NDU) and Balamand University . The best-known French-system schools are University of Saint Joseph (USJ) and University of the Holy Spirit (USEK, Kaslik). The (National) Lebanese University is centered in Beirut and also has four branches in the remaining districts of Lebanon .
Lebanese cuisine: The cuisine of Lebanon is the epitome of the Mediterranean diet. It includes an abundance of fruits, vegetables, starches, fresh fish and seafood. The enduring tradition of the Lebanese is starters; Mezza also known as hors d'oeuvres. Traditionally, the Lebanese food is served with Arak ; a clear licorice flavored liqueur made locally from grapes. When ice water is added to the Arak, the color turns into a cloudy white concoction and is the perfect addition to any Lebanese meal. The Lebanese have spread their cuisine to all parts of the world. It has become well known in fine restaurants in London , Paris , New York and Sidney serve tabboule, kibbee, hummus and baba’gannouj.
Government: By constitutional law, Lebanon is still one of the very few democracies in the entire Middle East with a constitution agreed upon in 1926. However, Lebanon lost its major features of democracy and human rights during 29 years of Syrian occupation (1976-2005)
Time: +02:00 GMT, +07:00 US EST
Holidays: In addition to national holidays, Lebanon recognizes all Christian and Muslim holidays.
Brief History:Lebanon is a small country at the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea . The Nature of Lebanon being distinguished from the mostly desert-countries surrounding it, along with the impact of the civilizations that inhabited Lebanon through thousands of years reached its peak in the second half of the 20th century, when Lebanon enjoyed prosperity, a free economy and the title of “ Most Civilized and Democratic” country of the region. However, this did not last very long. The major Arab-Israeli conflict has found in Lebanon a landing on which to move the fight. Syrian, Palestinian and Israeli forces overtook the Lebanese territory moving their fight, since the 1970’s to the neutral country, too small to defend herself. Arms and funding were being funneled into Lebanon while several countries, Syria, Iran, Israel, Lybia and Palestinians were sponsoring guerillas trying to take place in a battle that is not on their own land. Great destruction and hundreds of thousands of casualties (mostly Lebanese civilians) transpired in Lebanon . All the while, relatively minor events were going on in the neighboring countries: Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories. The UN Security Council issued several resolutions regarding Lebanon which were issued, but most of them were never enforced.
Lebanon Now: 1.The Syrian army withdrew its troops from Lebanon late April 2005 after 30 years of occupation. The Syrian forces in Lebanon were estiamted to include 30,000 troops and about 20,000 intelligence agents (that is equivalent to sending 4 million troops to occupy the US). Syria detains hundreds of Lebanese in its prisons without charges. 2.Palestinians-There are approximately 400,000+ ungoverned Palestinians still living in camps in Lebanon and harboring armed guerrillas without any regard for the Lebanese people or country (This is equivalent to placing 50 million refugees in the United States at one time). 3.Israeli troops withdrew from the south of Lebanon on May, 2000, which they had occupied for 22 years. Israel holds a Lebanese man in an Israeli prison without charges. 4.The Lebanese people were forced to leave their country due to economical disaster caused by the political crisis and Syrian illegal labor-force in Lebanon until May 2005. Approximately 35% of the Lebanese population left the country ever since 1990, when Syrian troops completely captured the capital Beirut..
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