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The Glossary
Byblos Travel Guide
The mere mention of Byblos conjures biblical images and the smell of moldering books in a library of an ancient town. This is not to say that the city of Byblos is in a state of decay; it is, however, among the top contenders vying for title of the oldest and continually inhabited city. It has been known as a significant contributor of culture and civilization, the birth place of the precursor to the phonetic script of today's modern alphabet.
According to the Phoenician tradition, Byblos was founded by the God El and was considered a city of great antiquity. While its beginning is lost in mystery, contemporary scholars believe that the site goes back approximately 7,000 years. Inhabited by some Stone Age dwellers and a mix of Amorites, Hittites, Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Ottoman Turks, it started as a small Neolithic fishing community settled along the coast and from there grew quickly into a booming sea port (Byblos Port).
The inhabitants display their skills by producing weapons and tools with special applications in ship building and tomb construction. The demand for the products began a period of prosperity and intense activity for the city. Byblos, however, was not always peaceful and serene. The coming of the fierce Amorite tribes and the conquest of Alexander the Great contributed to the accumulation of multiple layers of history and ruins.
At present, Byblos is an affluent modern town with an ancient heart. Within the old town the medieval remains of Arabs and the Crusaders are the glaring reminders of the past. A visit to this city is a chance to walk through the annals of its rich culture and tradition which is a mélange of diverse civilizations.
Byblos restaurants and hotels are well-prepared to welcome both travelers who are ready to explore the grandeur of the sites such as the 12th century Crusaders Castle, the Obelisk, and the Temple of Baalat Gebal.
Clearly, Byblos is not just a panoramic vista of a bucolic seaside town but a sophisticated city with a history tied closely to the Mediterranean.
Byblos Landmarks:
- Historical Spots (2)
- Sights (1)
User blogs:
Cheaper galactic spaceliner unveiled
News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space. The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post
Indonesia Eco Tourism
Tour Itenaray Day 01 BALI - LABUAN BAJO – RINCA ISLAND – KOMODO ISLAND (L.D) Pick up from your hotel in Bali and transfer to the airport, for flight to Labuan Bajo (West Flores) for approximately one and half hours. On arrival in Labuan Bajo airport, will be welcomed and met with our local representative or tour guide. Than transfer to the harbour to catch a boat cross to Rinca ... Read full Blog post
San Gimignano and San Pellegrino
Night falls on the flourishing and industrious San Gimignano, its 72 towers stand on the low roofs of the houses lit by the moon. This is not a luxury travel spot but is something you don't see every day. In the distance the clatter of hooves echoed tired in the Via Francigena. The hand of the blacksmith stops beating, the frame of the weaver becomes silent, the streets of the tank only a concert ... Read full Blog post
An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga
Its a party in the sky as multi colored hot air balloons piloted ny different pilots from various partso of the world participated in this annual gathering. As early as 5am, the 2,500 hectare aviation complex at Clar Economic Zone in Pampanga was already crammedi with excitement. Clusters of hot air balloon participants busily prepare their own balloons for liftoff as they need to take advantage of ... Read full Blog post
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