Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TO
BAALBECK
Discover responsibly the cultural, social
and religious value of the City of Sun
Table of Contents
8
Baalbeck
10
12
14
Baalbeck History
16
16
17
18
18
19
19
19
20
20
22
23
28
30
Baalbeck Culture
32
34
Baalbeck Contents
16
Baalbeck Contents
36
37
38
38
40
Juno of Heliopolis
40
40
Mercury of Heliopolis
42
Podium
42
Propylaeum
44
Hexagonal Forecourt
46
Great Court
46
48
49
50
Temple of Bacchus
52
Baalbecks Graffiti
52
Baalbeck Museum
54
Al Qalaa
56
56
Temple of Venus
58
58
Al Barbara Mosque
60
62
62
Al Hanabila Mosque
62
64
Temple of Mercury
64
Qubbat al-Amjad
66
66
68
70
76
Qubbat Al-Saidayn
76
77
Gouraud Barracks
78
80
Roman quarries
82
82
Qubbat Douris
84
86
94
96
104
104
106
107
107
108
112
Official Holidays
116
Dabkeh
116
Baalbeck Contents
102
What is Dabkeh
Baalbeck Contents
118
122
Nargileh
126
Baalbeck Tourism
128
130
Shopping in Baalbeck
132
136
Restaurants
140
Traditional sandwich
144
Snack
146
Pastry shops
150
Cafs
152
156
160
In case of
168
Baalbeck Cookbook
170
Cookbook
170
176
Appetizers
177
Main Dishes
182
Desserts
190
Drinks
192
Culinary glossary
194
Credits
196
Notes
Baalbeck Contents
Baalbeck Contents
Baalbeck Contents
Baalbeck
Baalbeck
How to get to
Baalbeck
Visitors can easily reach Baalbeck from
Beirut through the President Emile
Lahouds Highway (otherwise known
as Damascus International Road ): from
Al Sayyad roundabout and Hazmieh
area you should go towards Jamhour
Kahale Aley Bhamdoun Sawfar
reaching Dahr El Beydar pass (1511 m
ASL) Chtaura Zahle Ablah Tlaya
- Douris. About 2 hours are needed to
cover the 86 km that separate Baalbeck
from Beirut.
If you are in Tripoli it is possible
to follow this itinerary: Tripoli
Mejdlaya Zgharta Ehden
Hadchit Becharre Al Arz Ainata
Zrazir Deir al Ahmar Baalbeck.
The distance between Tripoli and
Baalbeck is around 85 km: it will take
you nearly 2 hours to reach the city
from there. If you are on the northern
side of Mount Lebanon, you simply
have to take the Al Arz Road in the
district of Becharreh which leads you
to the Bekaa and Baalbeck in roughly
50 minutes (distance 55 km).
10
Baalbeck
11
Baalbeck
Baalbeck
Location
Climate
12
Topography
Baalbeck is enclosed between the Anti
Lebanon mountain range to the east,
the Mount Lebanon mountain range
to the west, Hermel to the north and
Zahle and Riyak to the south.
The district of Baalbeck covers over 14
km of the Bekaa valley. The population
is concentrated mainly in the northern
side, the north eastern and the
southern side.
Farming and agricultural activities are
among the main sources of income.
Farms are generally small (average
of 5 ha or 50 dunum) and only few
big farms (more than 10 ha, or 100
dunum) can be found
Baalbeck
13
Baalbeck History
Religious Sites
Baalbek
14
Baalbeck History
Baalbeck History
15
Baalbeck History
Baalbeck-Heliopolis
History of the city
16
Baalbeck History
17
Baalbeck History
The Roman era (64 B.C-333 A.D): the golden age of Heliopolis
In 64 B.C, the area was integrated
into the Roman Empire. In 36 B.C,
Heliopolis was involved in one of
historys major love stories: it was
offered as a gift to Queen Cleopatra
of Egypt by the Roman general MarcAnthony. In 30 B.C, Augustus defeated
the lovers and regained control over
the Bekaa.
The golden age of Baalbeck began
when Emperor Augustus established
a colony in 15 B.C for the veterans of
the Gallica III legion to control the
double trade route: one between
the Mediterranean coast and the
18
Baalbeck History
19
Baalbeck History
20
Ayyubid Fortifications
Baalbeck History
21
Baalbeck History
Baalbeck under the Mamluks: the second golden age (1260-1516 A.D.)
The Mamluks defeated the Mongols
in 1258. Baibars, the great Mamluk
Sultan, repaired the citadel of
Baalbeck and brought back the city
to its former glory.
Syria experienced tremendous
development under the Mamluks:
Damascus and Aleppo became central
industrial cities. As a consequence,
the road linking them to Baalbeck
turned into a vital access for traders
that brought benefit to the city.
Lebanon was at that time the main
supplier of sugar.
The produce was grown in the Bekaa
plain and Baalbeck was one of the
main processing centres. Baalbeck
distinguished itself as a fabric
manufacturing centre.
A special cloth made of wool and
cotton was named after the city
of Baalbeck. Furthermore, it is
reported that the use of Baalbecks
famous libass al ehram (the Mecca
22
Baalbeck History
23
Baalbeck History
24
Baalbeck History
River Mosque built by the Harfush
25
Baalbeck History
26
Baalbeck History
Ottoman Architecture - detail of the door frieze
27
Baalbek History
Baalbeck
28
Baalbek History
29
Baalbeck Culture
30
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbeck Culture
31
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbeck
32
World Heritage
Sites in Lebanon
Byblos
Baalbeck
Anjar
Baalbeck Culture
Tyre
33
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbeck
The Lebanese Republic received a loan from the World Bank, the
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Italian Cooperation, the Agence
Franaise du Dveloppement (AFD) to cover the cost of the Cultural
Heritage and Urban Development Project (CHUD) in Baalbeck, Tyre,
Sidon, Tripoli and Byblos.
Work started in 2005. The project aims at increasing the social economy
of the historic cities. The World Bank grant specifically made available for
Baalbeck is 16 million US Dollars, whereas the Italian contribution directly
assigned for the city reaches around 5 million Euros. These funds are
mainly allocated for restoration and rehabilitation works in the inner city
of Baalbeck and for the conservation of the Roman temples
The World Bank component is working on repairing and restoring
sidewalks, streets and houses in a way that honours their historical
past. Also, it is developing easily accessible parking lots in the city and
next to the archaeological site. It is also aiming at recreating Baalbecks
old meat and vegetable market.
The Italian financing is mainly devoted to the restoration and valorisation
of the archaeological sites (namely to the conservation of Jupiter and
Bacchus Temples with relevant elaboration of suitable visiting paths) as
well as to the re-qualification of Baalbeck Serail.
34
Baalbeck Culture
Cella of the temple of Bacchus
35
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbeck-Heliopolis
The monuments
6
5
9
8
10
12
11
Plan of the Archaeological Complex: courtesy of the Ministry of Culture-Directorate General of Antiquities, Lebanon.
36
7- Temple of Jupiter
2- Propyleum
8- Temple of Bacchus
3- Hexagonal court
9- Ibrahim Mosque
4- Great court
5- Altars
Baalbeck Culture
37
Baalbeck Culture
38
Baalbeck Culture
I.O.M.H. - Latin inscription within the archaeological site
39
Baalbeck Culture
Juno of Heliopolis
Mercury of Heliopolis
40
Baalbeck Culture
41
Jupiter Temple
Baalbeck Culture
Podium
The overall complex stands on a 7.3
meters high podium built with massive
stones, some of the largest stone
blocks ever quarried. On the west
side of the podium is the Trilithon,
a celebrated group of three enormous
stones weighing about 800 tons each,
visible from the Jupiter Temple or
from the back side of the present
boundaries of the Archaeological
complex. These stones are 20 meters
long, 4.2 meters high and 3.6 meters
wide. (Refer to point T on the map)
42
Baalbeck Culture
Propylaeum
43
Baalbeck Culture
Hexagonal Forecourt
The structure of the hexagonal
forecourt is unique in the Roman
world. It is the last monument added
to the sanctuary in the first half of the
3rd century A.D by Emperor Philip
the Arab (244-249) and connects the
Propylaeum to the main courtyard.
The forecourt is decorated with
four exedras each preceded by four
columns and decorated inside with
two rows of niches. Three doors
lead from the Propylaeum to the
Hexagonal Forecourt, where 30
granite columns originally supported
the entablature. This six-sided form
was built between the Propylaeum
and the Great Court.
In 395 A.D., it was covered with
a dome and transformed into a
church by the Byzantine Emperor
Theodosius. Some sources state
that it was taken to Jerusalem by the
Umayyad in 689 A.D. and is now part
of the famous Dome of the Rock. (N.
3 on the map)
44
Baalbeck Culture
Hexagonal Forecourt
45
Baalbeck Culture
46
Great Court
Baalbeck Culture
47
Baalbeck Culture
Ritual Pool
48
Jupiter Temple
Baalbeck Culture
49
Baalbeck Culture
Temple of Bacchus
50
Baalbeck Culture
Bacchus Temple
51
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbecks Graffiti
19 th
In the late
century, Baalbeck
began to attract travellers from
Europe and around the region.
These earliest visitors left their
mark on the stone structures,
particularly the Temple of Bacchus,
by etching their name and date of
visit. Many French, English and
Arabic calligraphy, dating from
the 19 th century can thus be seen
on the upper levels of the walls
of the Bacchus temple. They bear
witness to the level of sand that
was within the temple before the
archaeologists started working on
the site in 1904.
Despite this testimony from the
past, scratching cultural relics
and monuments shall always be
considered as vandalism and
visitors should thus respectfully
avoid this kind of practice.
52
Baalbeck Museum
Baalbeck Museum is located in the
substructions of the Sanctuary of
Jupiter as well as in the south tower
of the fortress. It was inaugurated
in 1998 to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of Emperor William II
visit to Baalbeck. The museum
displays some 20 statues and objects,
information about the Bronze age,
the Hellenic and Roman era, as well
as an exhibition of old photographs
of the German ethnographer Herman
Burckhardt, who captured interesting
shots of the ruins and of the Turkmen
and Bedouin tribes who lived in the
area. The museums main value
lies in the maps and photographs
interpreting how and why the
temples were built.
The museum is open daily from
10.30 to 17.00. It is located within
the main Archaeological site. You
can contact the Museum personnel
dialling 08/370520.
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbeck Museum
53
Baalbeck Culture
Al Qalaa
From the end of the 11th century,
Baalbeck regained importance as a
strategic base in the Crusader conflict
and its earlier Arab fortification walls
were strengthened. The Roman
sanctuary was slowly transformed by
the Seljuks and the Ayyubids into a
citadel (Qalaa), giving the name Al
Qalaa to the area.
The complex, badly damaged by
earthquakes and partly destructed
during the Mongol invasion, was
rebuilt by the Mamluks at the end
of the 13th century. Modifications
and alteration in the architectural
structures were made: the stairs of
the propyleum were destroyed and
a walled up area was constructed
between the Bacchus temple and
the podium of the great court and
the Jupiter temple. Towers, a Mosque
and a water basin were also built. The
54
Baalbeck Culture
Al Qalaa
55
Baalbeck Culture
56
Temple of Venus
Beit Nassif
Baalbeck Culture
57
Baalbeck Culture
58
Al Barbara Mosque
Baalbeck Culture
59
Baalbeck Culture
Umayyad Mosque
60
Baalbeck Culture
Umayyad Mosque interior
61
Baalbeck Culture
Al Hanabila Mosque
Al Hanabila is located next to the city
market in Ghafara Street. Sultan Al
Mansur Qalawun restored it in 1283 A.D.
62
Baalbeck Culture
Church of Saint Mary
63
Baalbeck Culture
Temple of Mercury
Qubbat al-Amjad
64
Baalbeck Culture
65
Baalbeck Culture
Ras al-Imam
al-Hussein Mosque
66
Baalbeck Culture
Ras al-Imam al-Hussein Mosque
67
Baalbeck Culture
68
Baalbeck Culture
69
Baalbeck Culture
70
Baalbeck Culture
Interior of an Ottoman house
71
Baalbeck Culture
those rooms that were not interconnected. However, these houses had the
same furnishing as traditional Arab houses with the lowered entrance area
behind the doors, atabe and arches niches for the storage of beddings or
other household effects, named youk. Even the traditional bahra, the stone
basin of the fountain in the courtyard, is part of the inventory.
The first changes in the buildings surrounding the Sheikh Abdallah Hill
can be dated around 1880, which marks the beginning of the flourishing
of the Christian quarter and the building activities around the turn of the
century. First iwan houses with a standardized ground plan appeared at the
foot of the remains of the monumental stairways of the ancient Temple of
Mercury. The houses in this area are set parallel to the hills slope and have
three rooms, the central iwan flanked by two lateral rooms and sometimes
a third room to the back. The houses are built of rubble stone with flat clay
roofs, but in contrast to the earlier houses, almost all of them have doors
and windows spanned by segmented arches to the front, which are built of
worked blocks. This type of houses appeared in Baalbeck only in the second
half of the 19th century.
During the late 1800s, a new wave of construction emerged in Baalbeck
and new building techniques were introduced. The buildings are now
communicating with the surrounding landscape, with open faades, balconies
and terraces. The typical niches disappear, showing a change in the taste for
furniture and lifestyle. Instead of sleeping mattresses spread on the floor
at night, special bedrooms with beds were introduced. Similar villas can be
found in the direction of Ras al-Ayn. The presence of this type of building
in this area denotes certain continuity in the attractiveness of specific living
areas in Baalbeck, which was in fact the same area where the wealthy villae
suburbanae were located in the Roman period.
72
Baalbeck Culture
Detail of the faade of Khalil Mutran house
73
Baalbeck Culture
74
Baalbeck Culture
House from Hayy al-Solh quarter
75
Baalbeck Culture
Qubbat Al-Saidayn
Not far from the City Gate, Qubbat AlSaidayn (or cupola of the two blessed
men) is a two-room mausoleum built
in 1409 A.D. by Mamluk Sultan Malik
al-Muayyad Sheikh. It was conceived
to commemorate two of his officers
killed in a battle near Baalbeck. Its
main entrance has traditional Mamluk
decoration patterns.
76
Gouraud Barracks
Built partly on the Roman defence
walls to house the French soldiers
stationed in Baalbeck during the
French mandate, the Gouraud
Barracks were named after General
Henri Gouraud, the first French High
Commissioner in Syria and Lebanon
(1920-23).
Baalbeck Culture
Gouraud Barracks
77
Baalbeck Culture
78
Baalbeck Culture
Interior of Al Sayyida Khawla Shrine
79
Baalbeck Culture
Roman quarries
80
Baalbeck Culture
The Pregnant Woman Stone
81
Baalbeck Culture
Qubbat Douris
82
Baalbeck Culture
Qubbat Douris
83
Baalbeck Culture
84
Baalbeck Culture
Old Railroad Station
85
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbeck
Baalbeck gave birth to many important religious and literary figures. Many
of them played major roles in their specific fields. They are presented with
a biographical note and a brief description of their activities in this section.
Imam Al Awzai, Abu Amr Abd al Rahman bin Amr | Religious dignitary
His name is derived from al-Awzai, a
suburb of Damascus. Imam Al Awzai
was born in Baalbeck in 707 A.D. and
was famous for his tolerance and for
taking the defence of the peasants
of Mount Lebanon, severely crushed
after their uprising against the Abbasid
Caliph. Imam Al Awzai was also a
famous reformist but his disciples never
86
Baalbeck Culture
87
Baalbeck Culture
88
Baalbek Culture
89
Baalbeck Culture
Khalil Mutran
90
Baalbeck Culture
91
Baalbeck Culture
Michel Alouf
92
Baalbeck Culture
93
Baalbeck Culture
Baalbeck
Saint Barbara
Barbara was the daughter of Dioscorus,
a wealthy trader and a distinguished city
council member. She was born under
the reign of Emperor Maximianus (285305 A.D). She converted to Christianity
under the influence of her slaves. Her
father discovered her secret conversion
and ordered to imprison her in a tower
with two windows. She is said to have
carved out a third one, as a symbol of
the Christian Holy Trinity. Seeing that,
the father decided to burn her alive in
the tower, but her friends managed to
free Barbara dressing her in peasant
clothes. So dressed, she was hiding in
the Bekaa when a farmer recognized
her from her smooth hands and her
94
Baalbeck Culture
95
Baalbeck Culture
Famous people in
Baalbeck
96
Baalbeck Culture
Letter from Jean Cocteau
97
Baalbeck Culture
98
Baalbeck Culture
Emperor William II
99
Baalbeck Culture
100
Baalbeck Culture
101
Baalbeck Traditions
102
Baalbeck Traditions
Baalbeck Traditions
103
Baalbeck Traditions
Festivals
104
Baalbeck Traditions
105
Baalbeck Traditions
Mass Wedding
106
Baalbeck Traditions
107
Baalbeck Traditions
108
Baalbeck Traditions
109
Baalbeck Traditions
110
Baalbeck Traditions
111
Baalbeck Traditions
Official Holidays
Muslim holidays and the Christian Catholic and Orthodox Good
Friday and Easter vary each year according to the lunar calendar.
January 1: New Years Day
January 6: Orthodox Armenian
Christmas
February 9: Saint Marouns day
is a Christian holiday, celebrated
yearly on February 9th. It marks
the feast of an ascetic monk, Saint
Maroun, who lived in seclusion in
northern Syria and died around
410 A.D. He is the spiritual father
of the Maronite Church.
March 25: Annunciation Day
May 1: Labour Day
May 6: Martyrs Day is a national
holiday celebrated yearly on
May 6th. It commemorates the
execution of Lebanese nationalists
by the Ottomans in 1916 in Beiruts
central square, named Martyrs
square ever since.
112
Baalbeck Traditions
113
Baalbeck Traditions
114
Baalbeck Traditions
115
Baalbeck Traditions
Dabkeh
What is Dabkeh
Dabkeh is an Arab folk dance native
to the Levant countries. It is popular
in countries like Lebanon, Jordan,
Palestine, Syria and among the
Assyrians of Iraq. Dabkeh consists of
a line dance: the leader of the dabkeh
heads the line, alternating between
facing the audience and the other
dancers. It is widely performed at
weddings and festive occasions.
Dabkeh in Arabic means literally
stamping of the feet. The leader,
called ras head or lawweeh
waver, is allowed to improvise on
the type of dabkeh. The leader twirls
a handkerchief or string of beads
known as a masbaha (similar to a
rosary), while the rest of the dancers
keep the rhythm. The dancers also
use vocalizations to show energy and
keep up the beat. Every step in the
dabkeh has its own meaning, including
the shoulders move and the dancers
facial expressions.
Dabkeh Baalbakiyah, namely the
Dabkeh of Baalbeck, is characterized
116
Baalbeck Traditions
Dabkeh Performance
117
Baalbeck Traditions
118
Baalbeck Traditions
Caracallas shows
119
Baalbeck Traditions
120
Baalbeck Traditions
121
Baalbeck Traditions
Nargileh
122
Baalbeck Traditions
Artisan making Nargileh
123
Baalbeck Traditions
124
Baalbeck Traditions
Nargileh
125
Baalbeck Tourism
126
Baalbeck Tourism
Baalbeck Tourism
127
Baalbeck Tourism
Baalbeck
Quality Label
Baalbeck Quality Label and its slogan Enjoy Baalbeck Quality are
intended to guide visitors, and tourists to recognize the local products
and their values.
Hotels and Restaurants displaying the logo give evidence that these
establishments successfully participated in training activities aimed at
increasing the levels of quality and customer care. Soon the logo will be
also used for the original Baalbeck products (food, handicrafts etc) as
well as for all the tourist services that are in compliance with the quality
standards set by the relevant Lebanese Authorities.
The logo integrates the 2 main golden eras of Baalbeck, the city of the
Sun: the Roman and the Islamic period. The 6 columns of the Jupiter
Temple, witnessing the value of Baalbeck since Roman period, are used
as the symbol of the earth reaching the sun and as a reflection of the
Roman greatness. The Islamic era is reflected in the circular golden Islamic
pattern representing the sun.
The Arabic words for Baalbeck are the roots of the logo, signifying that
the city itself is the source of all the past and present achievements.
128
Baalbeck Tourism
129
Baalbeck Tourism
Shopping in
Baalbeck
There are many traditional shops
in Baalbeck that may attract your
attention. Do not forget to pass by
the souk and feel yourself a part of
the local community.
The flavour of Baalbeck food is
something you will most probably
be willing to bring with you: we
recommend you dont forget the
preserved food and the typical dishes
that you may find in the Cookbook
section of this guidebook. In some
cases and if cooking is your hobby you
wont resist buying yourself some of
the typical tools that can be used for
preparing the typical Baalbeck and
Lebanese food. Here we list some of
the most common cooking tools you
may see in Baalbeck shops:
Shawbak: wooden rolling pin, used to
prepare a wide variety of dough based
dishes and pastries.
130
Baalbeck Tourism
Scarfes from Baalbeck
131
Baalbeck Tourism
Baalbeck
Here you can find a list (in alphabetical order) of hotels and
accommodation facilities available in Baalbeck. The Baalbeck
Quality label (
) indicates the hotels which successfully took
part in the Quality Hotel Training Course. These establishments
are thus committed to provide a qualified service with special
attention to their customers care and well-being.
132
Al-Shams Hotel
Abdel Halim Hajjar Street
08/373284 70/069757 03/770990
fadrad@hotmail.com
Jupiter Hotel
Abdel Halim Hajjar Street
08/376715 - 03/199843
Baalbeck Tourism
133
Baalbeck Tourism
Hotel Kanaan
Ras al-Ayn Street
03/670282- 70/177273
Overlooking Ras al-Ayn spring, this
newly built hotel has ten suites and forty
rooms. The rooms are fully furnished
with modern equipment and facilities.
Free Wi-Fi is available. Breakfast is
served. The hotel also welcomes you
to its international restaurant where
you can enjoy its delicious cuisine.
134
La Memoire Hotel
Saint Georges Street
08/373730 - 03/556944
www.lamemoirehotel.com
Located within a walking distance from
the ruins, the hotel combines tradition
and modernism with its Arabian style
designed rooms. The hotel has single,
double, twin rooms as well as junior
suites. One of the rooms has a terrace
and another is reserved for nonsmokers. The hotels facilities include
a barber and beauty salon, a coffee
shop and a restaurant. The hotel also
welcomes you on its terrace to enjoy
a traditional nargileh. Free internet
is available.
Palmyra Hotel
Abdel Halim Hajjar Street
08/370230
palmyra@baalbeckpalmyrahotel.com
rimabaalbeck@yahoo.com
www.baalbeckpalmyrahotel.com
Baalbeck Tourism
Shouman Hotel
Ras al-Ayn Blvd
08/372685 - 03/796077
shouman-hotel@hotmail.com
135
Baalbeck Tourism
Restaurants
136
Lebanese Mezzeh
Restaurant Al Thuraya
Douris Main Road
08/340961 03/847181
Restaurant Al Rawabi
Ras al-Ayn
08/371666
This restaurant serves typical
Lebanese dishes and can host up to
500 customers.
Restaurant Baytna
Ras al-Ayn Street
70/524878
Baalbeck Tourism
Restaurant Al Ajame
Souks Street
03/370051
137
Baalbeck Tourism
Restaurant King
Ras al-Ayn, close to Al Bayada
08/371849 03/378367
Restaurant Paradise
Ras al-Ayn Street
70/925263
Restaurant Machawi
Near Sayyida Khawlas Shrine
08/375636 - 70/375636
The restaurant can host 200 persons
in its indoor and outdoor space. It also
serves Lebanese breakfast.
138
Baalbeck Tourism
Restaurant Shahrazad
Yaghi Simbala Centre
08/371851
139
Baalbeck Tourism
For a traditional
sandwich
These are the places where you can enjoy traditional Lebanese
sandwiches like falafel, shawarma, etc
Here you can find a list (in alphabetical order) of restaurants
that serve traditional sandwiches in Baalbeck. The Baalbeck
Quality label ( ) indicates the restaurants which successfully
took part in the Quality Restaurant and Catering Training
Course. These establishments are thus committed to provide
a qualified service with special attention to their customers
care and well-being.
140
Lebanese Kebab
Restaurant Al Fajer
Yaghi Square
03/038846
Restaurant Al Bakhach
Nasser Square
Tel: 70/005907
Restaurant Al Hana
Douris- Baalbeck Main Road
03/841408
Baalbeck Tourism
141
Baalbeck Tourism
Restaurant Barakat
Near Sayyida Khawlas Shrine
08/372990
Restaurant and Caf Diwan Al Hallani
Ras al-Ayn Street
03/445372
Restaurant Farhat
Bechara Khoury Street
08/371448
142
Restaurant Nabouch
Camille Chamoun Street
Tel: 08/371445
Capacity: 40 persons
Restaurant Nadim
Bechara Khoury Street
08/372854
Capacity: 8 persons
Pizza Uno
Al Manini Centre
08/372117 03/251158
Baalbeck Tourism
Restaurant Sindibad
Bechara Khoury Street
08/371452
Capacity: 16 persons
143
Baalbeck Tourism
or for a snack
144
Lebanese Saj
Furn Al Siyaha
Khalil Mutran Square
71/467078 - 03/406942
La Sheesh
Souks street
03/465719
Snack Al Zahra
Serail Street
03/283388
Snack Balouk
Serail Street
71/306088
Snack Balouk serves snack as well as
fruit cocktails and juices.
Baalbeck Tourism
Snack Al Iman
Ras al-Ayn Street
08/376125
145
Baalbeck Tourism
Pastry shops
146
Baklava
Pastry Al Halani
Saint George Street
03/658151
Pastry Al Ashi
Souk Street
71249981
Pastry Al Hana
Al Chaykh Habib Street
08/373242
Pastry Al Haidari
Rue Bechara El Khoury
03/822431
Pastry Al Jawhara
Salah Haydar Street
08/371543
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Baalbeck Tourism
Pastry Al Jawhari
Souks Street
03/434616
This pastry shop is one of the oldest
in Baalbeck: it serves fabulous Knefe
bi ashta and the famous nammoura
bi ashta.
Pastry Asala
Bechara Khoury Street
08/372854
Pastry Al Zawak
Camille Chamoun Street
08/374091
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Pastry Bayan
Souks Street
71/395634
Pastry Berro
Al Assira Street
08/373742
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Preparation of Knefe
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Baalbeck Tourism
Cafs
150
Cardamom seeds
Al Bal Caf
76/738097
Caf Crystal
Serail Street
08/370285
Caf Daou Kamar
Nasser Square
70/005977
Ananas Caf
Yaghi Street
03/038846
Caf Saydah
Ras al-Ayn Street
08/377599
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Al Madina Park
03/766159
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Baalbeck Tourism
How Baalbeck
(and Lebanon) works
Languages in Lebanon
Travel advices
Time
Lebanese time is G.M.T +2 hours in
winter (October to March) and +3
hours in summer (April to September).
Security
Baalbeck is perfectly safe to visit.
In Baalbeck, streets are particularly
safe day and night. The citys culture
encourages the citizens to watch out
for tourists while touring the city.
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Health Tips
Baalbeck Tourism
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Baalbeck Tourism
Currency
Lebanons currency is the Lebanese lira
(LL) or Lebanese pound. There are a few
coins of LL50, 100 and (more commonly)
250 and 500 pieces in circulation, as
well as paper bills of 1,000; 5,000;
10,000; 20,000; 50,000 and 100,000.
US Dollars are accepted everywhere and
are interchangeable with the Lebanese
lira. Many places give change in either
currency. The US$/L.L. exchange rate is
relatively stable, hovering around US$
1= L.L. 1,500.The Euro/L.L. exchange
rate has fluctuated over the years.
Check your currency converter before
you head to Baalbeck.
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Electricity
Postal Services
Car Driving
If you intend to drive in Lebanon, it is
imperative to have an international
driving license in case you dont
Transportation
Baalbeck Tourism
155
Baalbeck Tourism
Be nice with
Baalbeck
A brief insight to local etiquette for foreigners and hints to enjoy your stay
Social conventions
156
Baalbeck Welcome
Baalbeck Tourism
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Baalbeck Tourism
Tipping
Eating in Lebanon
Public Holidays
18 different communities co-exist in
Lebanon. Thus, the country has a full
calendar of official holidays. Banks,
government offices and schools
are closed during those holidays.
However, it is possible to find shops
and restaurants open for customers.
Muslim holidays are timed according
to local sightings of various phases of
the moon and the dates given below
are therefore approximate. During the
month of Ramadan, that precedes Eid
el Fitr, Muslims fast during the day
and feast at night: normal business
patterns may be interrupted.
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Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Lebanese house
for dinner the following hints may help
you feeling at home:
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Baalbeck Tourism
In case of
Phone Lines
The first two digits of Lebanese
telephone numbers are the area code.
The area code for Beirut is (01), (08)
for Bekaa. If you are dialling Lebanon
from outside the country, omit the (0)
in the area code.
Telephone booths are accessible for
local and international calls. Payphone
cards are available in post offices.
Mobile phones can be widely found
in the Lebanese market; however most
businesses and homes have land lines.
The area codes for mobile phones are
(03), (70), (71) and (76).
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Useful numbers
Fire Department 175
Municipality of Baalbeck
08/370214 - 08/377350
Ministry of Tourism
Zahle 08/802566
Ministry of Tourism
Beirut 01/340940
Baalbeck Tourism
Airport 150
Weather 1718
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Baalbeck Tourism
Hospital
Baalbeck Governmental Hospital
Ras al-Ayn
Tel: 08/370470
Fax:08/370022
Dar Al Amal University Hospital
Douris main road
Tel: 08/340620-1-2-3-4
Fax: 08/340627
Ibn Sina Hospital
Baalbeck-Tall el Abyad
Tel: 08/371811 - 08/376811
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Al Hekma Hospital
Baalbeck North Entrance, Tall el Abyad
Tel: 08 379138
Al Tatari Hospital
Baalbeck North Entrance
Tel: 08 371 903
Al Mortada Hospital
Baalbeck Southern Entrance
Tel: 08 377880/1
Al Rayan Hospital
Baalbeck North Entrance, Al Sharawna
Tel: 08377490
Pharmacies
Baalbeck Pharmacy
Ras al-Ayn Street
08/371920 - 03/059049
Al Kafaa pharmacy
Bechara Khoury Street
08/374734 - 03/740250
Ghassan pharmacy
Abdel Halim Hajjar Street
Tel/fax: 08/370320
Al Jadida pharmacy
Saleh Haidar Street
08/370626
Nabil pharmacy
Baalbeck
08/325611
Al Masri pharmacy
Baalbeck
08/376631 03/641373
Razi pharmacy
Nasser Square
08/376370 - 03/258155
Al Wafa pharmacy
Sheikh Habib Street
08/376730
Rida pharmacy
Bechara el Khoury Street
08/371363 - 03/352030
Baalbeck Tourism
Al Hadissa pharmacy
Bechara Khoury Street
08/371786 - 03/379743
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Baalbeck Tourism
Banks
Bank of Lebanon
Bechara Khoury Street
Tel: 08/370444
Fax: 08/377251
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Fransabank
Ras al-Ayn Street
Tel: 08/373151 - 08/373801
Fax: 08/370379
Fransabank operates from Monday
to Friday from 8.00 till 17.00 and on
Saturday till 14.00
Mobile companies
MTC Touch
-01/566111
Alfa
08/544995 Bekaa
03/391000 Beirut
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Baalbeck Tourism
Useful Websites
Beirut Airport
www.beirutairport.gov.lb
Baalbeck Municipality
www.baalbeckmunicipality.com
Liban Post
www.libanpost.com.lb
Baalbeck Union
www.baalbeckunion.gov.lb
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Ministry of Environment
www.moe.gov.lb
Ministry of Telecommunications
- www.mpt.gov.lb
Ministry of Public Health
www.public-health.gov.lb
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Baalbeck Tourism
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Baalbeck Cookbook
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Baalbek Cookbook
Cookbook
Baalbeck has a wide culinary tradition: local cuisine represents
a part of Baalbeck culture that should not be missed by those
who really want to discover this wonderful city. This cookbook,
by presenting some of the most popular recipes, is intended
to offer the visitors and cooking lovers the opportunity to
discover local ingredients, organize a culinary visit in the
city and take home a zest of Baalbeck taste.
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Ambrees
Baalbek Cookbook
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Tannour bread
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Baalbek Cookbook
Tannour bread inside oven
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Burghul
Burghul is durum wheat ground into
coarse, fine and very fine size grains.
The wheat is boiled until the seeds
are opened. They are then filtered
and put directly on the flat roof
tops of the houses to dry in the
sun for several days. During the
first day the seeds are frequently
turned over until they become
completely dry.
The seeds are put in bags and taken
to special mills to grind the wheat.
The ground burghul is then sifted to
be separated and collected on three
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Keshek
Keshek
sour, it is spread into small lumps and
put on clean plastic sheets, covered
with thin cheese cloth and sun dried
for several days. During the sun
drying process, the lumps are rubbed
between the palms of the hand until
they separate into a coarse powder.
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Appetizers
Eggplants Makdous
For this appetizer, small local eggplants,
mainly Kafarsusi quality, are generally
used. They are stuffed with a mixture
of sweet or hot pepper, walnut and
garlic and preserved in olive oil.
Ingredients: 10 kg eggplants, 1 kg
walnuts, 1 kg red hot and sweet
pepper (to be adjusted according to
personal taste), 1 kg of coarse salt, 3
cloves of garlic and 10 kg of olive oil.
Preparation: Boil the eggplants entirely
in water in a stainless container and
then cool them down under running
water. Remove the stalk and cut the
eggplants laterally in order to put some
sea salt inside. Place them in a colander
covered with a textile cloth and where
they shall be pressed for around 24
hours. The following day prepare the
stuffing made of red pepper, walnut,
garlic and coarse salt. Stuff the eggplants
and put them in sterilized glass jars. As
a final step, fill the whole jar with olive
oil adding oil for the following ten days
when necessary considering that the
eggplants absorb the oil and should
be always fully soaked in it. Eggplants
Makdous can be preserved for 1 year.
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Eggplants Makdous
Main Dishes
Burghul in Keshek with fried onions
Ingredients: 2 cups fine burghul
(sreyseerah), 1 cup of keshek, olive oil,
and small sized white onions grilled.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over
the burghul and let soak for hr. Put
the keshek over the soaked burghul
and mix well with your hands. Pour
into the serving plate and put olive oil
on top for serving.
Burghul with Keshek is served
warm with fried small white
onions grilled.
Baalbeck Cookbook
Burghul in keshek
Makhlouta bi kawarma
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Baalbeck Cookbook
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Sfiha Baalbakiye
Kawaj
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Menzaleh
Ingredients: 1 kg of small eggplants,
250gr of minced meat, 1 onion finely
chopped , salt and black pepper, 1tbsp
toasted pine nuts, 1 tsp of different
spices, 1 tsp dry red pepper, 1tbsp
margarine to fry the meat, oil to fry
eggplants, a kg of peeled and finely
chopped tomatoes.
Preparation: Peel the eggplants and
cut a small slit on the side of the
eggplants through which they will be
stuffed with the meat. Fry eggplants
in the oil until they are well done and
put them aside. Fry the onions with
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Menazaleh ingredients
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Desserts
Nammoura bi ashta
(Nammoura stuffed with cream)
Ingredients: 1 kg semolina, kg sugar,
scoop margarine, 1 scoop milk,
scoop sugar syrup, pistachios for
decoration, ashta.
Preparation: Mix lukewarm water
with milk. Add semolina and sugar
and mix them thoroughly. Add sugar
syrup, margarine and knead them well.
Leave the compost for 12 or 24 hours
and pour it on an oven plate. The plate
is placed in the oven at 150 C for 2030 minutes or till the compost gets a
golden colour.
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Nammoura bi ashta
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Maakroun Zallit
Ingredients: 1 kg of flour, 1 cup of
carob molasses, 1 tbsp of cinnamon,
1 tsp of soft mahlab, tbsp carbonate,
1 cups of olive oil. Water to knead
the dough. Oil for frying.
Preparation: Mix all the dry ingredients
(flour, cinnamon, mahlab, carbonate).
Add the oil and the carob molasses.
Add the warm water and knead until
you obtain a paste. Cover the dough
with a clean cloth and leave it to rest
for about hour.
Divide the dough into small pieces
and give them the shape you prefer.
Fry the maakroun in the oil. Remove
them when they start having a golden
colour and drain them well from the oil.
Serve the maakroun cold with carob
molasses or warm and plain.
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Maakroun Zallit
185
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Lazzaqiyeh preparation
Grape Jam
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Grape Molasses
188
Jam selection
Apricot Jam
Baalbeck Cookbook
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Baalbeck Cookbook
Drinks
Grape Molasses Drink
Ingredients: 3 tbsp of grape molasses,
1 cup water, 1 tbsp orange blossom
water
Preparation: Mix the ingredients and
adjust according to taste by adding
water or grape molasses. Serve cold
with or without ice cubes.
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Grape molasses drink
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Culinary glossary
Ashta: A Lebanese cream, consisting
in a mixture of milk, corn starch and
sugar boiled and stirred till thick.
Babaghannouj: Eggplant mashed
and mixed with various seasonings.
Falafel: A deep-fried ball or patty
made of ground chickpeas, fava
beans, or both. They are usually
wrapped in bread. The falafel balls
are topped with salads, pickles, hot
sauce, and drizzled with a tahinibased sauce. Falafel balls may also
be eaten alone as a snack or served
as part of a mezzeh.
Fattoush: A bread salad made of mixed
green vegetables topped with toasted
or fried pieces of pita bread (khubz
arabi). It is traditionally seasoned with
pomegranate molasses.
Hummus: A dip or spread made
from cooked, mashed chickpeas,
olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and in
some recipe tahini (paste of ground
sesame seeds).
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Baalbeck Credits
Credits
Funded by
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Italian Cooperation
Written by
Biladi | Joanne Farchakh Bajjaly, Joelle
Boutros, Charles Hayek, Roger Sakr
Editing
Dr Hassan Nasrallah
Dr Hawlo Faraj
Dr Khordr Nabha
Said Lakkis
Anna Dal Maso
Lara Daou
Paul Gasparini
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Photography
The pictures included in this
publication, wherever not differently
mentioned, were taken by:
Printed by
Arab Printing Press
Baalbeck Credits
Marwan Tahtah
Bilal Jawish
Charles Boutros
Nijad Abdelsamad
Sobhi Balouk
Special thanks:
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Baalbek Notes
Notes
196
Baalbek Notes
197
Baalbek Notes
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Baalbek Notes
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