Ras Baalbek (Arabic: رأس بعلبك) is a village in the northern Beqaa Valley in Lebanon.
History
Ras Baalbek is 500 metres west of a Neolithic rock shelter called Ras Baalbek I.
To the east there are ruins that are alleged to be the remains of a Roman aqueduct. Inhabitants of the village have confirmed it was once called "Connaya," suggesting a link to the ancient settlement of Conna, mentioned in the work of Antonius.[1] Notable features include the monastery of "Our Lady of Ras Baalbek" (Deir Saidat ar-Ras) and two Byzantine churches. One church is in the centre of the village and the other lies by the Roman aqueduct.[1]
In 1838, Eli Smith noted Ras Baalbek's population as being predominantly Catholic Christian.[2]
Demographics
Around 6,000 people live in Ras Baalbek. The population is entirely Christian, mainly Greek Catholic,[3][4] having switched from Greek Orthodoxy in 1721.[5]
References
- ^ a b Michel M. Alouf (July 1999). History of Baalbek. Book Tree. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-1-58509-063-1. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 144
- ^ Robert Boulanger (1966). The Middle East: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran. Hachette. p. 212.
- ^ Justin Salhani (24 Sep 2014). "Ras Baalbek's Christians take up arms". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ^ "Our Lady of Ras Baalbek". Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
Bibliography
External links
Capital: Baalbek | ||
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