Visit Aanjar, Lebanon
Aanjar is an Ummayad city, one of very few remains from these early Islamic rulers who captured a vast swathe of land through as far as Spain. The remains of about 600 shops have been found here, indicating the importance of Aanjar as a trade centre.
Aanjar is an Ummayad city, one of very few remains from these early Islamic rulers who captured a vast swathe of land through as far as Spain.
Aanjar was built for the Caliph Khaled Ibn Al Walid in around 700 A.D. Unlike the other ancient cities in Lebanon, which have seen waves of inhabitants, Aanjar was a "new town" built from scratch.
It prospered for less than a century, and then fell into disuse. The ruins were discovered only in the 1940s, with excavation beginning some ten years later.
Aanjar's design
The ancient city was laid out in a grid, surrounded by heavily fortified walls and bisected by two wide avenues. The design of the city borrowed heavily from the Byzantines with a pattern of alternating red bricks and yellow stone.
This method of construction, as well as being attractive, also allows buildings to survive earthquakes better, important as they are not unknown in this region.
Exploring Aanjar
The site is now entered from the north, through one of four towering gateways that once protected the city. To the left you will pass the hammams, and then you will pass down the main street, which would once have been flanked with shops.
The remains of about 600 shops have been found, indicating the importance of Aanjar as a trade centre. Beyond the crossroads are the remains of a mosque and past the mosque you will see the reconstructed remains of the Grand Palace, which would have been a summer retreat for the caliphs. You can also wonder through the residential and commercial quarters.
As with any ruined city, part of the attraction is trying to work out for yourself what the purpose of the many various rooms and buildings was.
