Umayyad Ruins of Aanjar
Umayyad Ruins of Aanjar
4.5
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4.5
176 reviews
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Very good
72
Average
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0
kelledstyle
Montreal, Canada763 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
My visit in Anjar was part of a one-day tour. Located in the Bekaa Valley, this fascinating complex is filled with ruined temples, impressive arcades, and gates, many built in Hellenistic and Roman style. While walking through the ruins, we were plunged back in time and were able to figure out how well organized was the life in this small city. Our favorite part of this site was definitely the thermal baths built on the Roman model. Find more picture on my Instagram (kelledstyle) and more info on my blog.
Written 4 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orhan Cobanoglu
Istanbul, Türkiye396 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
It’s a good place to see while you are in Beirut, we had a day tour visit all highlights but I would suggest to go there first since there is no crowds
Written 5 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ogadragon
Beirut, Lebanon113 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
It's a small place, when you first walk in after visiting baalbek and other bigger ruins, you might think to your self that it's not worth it. but the stories, the idea of how they built this city, the stones the used. the number of years. The Local guide Asadur, brings the city back to life. its worth a visit. i do recommend you put a plastic bag over your shoes or take extra shoes, because of the mud.
Written 18 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
agusticassa
Girona, Spain1,484 contributions
Feb 2020
The reason for my visit to Lebanon was to visit ruins and you cannot ignore these, right next to the Syrian border. This ancient city is reasonably well preserved and the visit is very pleasant for an hour or two.
Written 23 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fatherandson
Cambridge, Massachusetts27 contributions
June 2014 • Family
Ancient Aanjar sits on a picturesque plateau swept by a cool breeze. During our visit last Thursday, we were the only tourists at the site. It is like a little Umayyed Pompeii, although the Civil War interrupted excavations, which have not resumed since, and as a result most of the city still lies beneath a meter or so of dirt. Still, the ancient Roman layout of the streets, shops, and habitations is very visible, as are the palace, the mosque, and the baths. There is a modest admission fee, and through Lebanon Tours we received the benefit of an exceptionally knowledgeable guide. Unforgettable spot!
Written 24 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hailsk2411
1,295 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Nice place to visit. Guide gave good explanation of the history and description of the ruins . Cute little souvenir shop just outside. Toilets available too!
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stefano I
Rome, Italy74 contributions
Apr 2019
Our 25 pax group enjoyed very much the visit to this wonderful site. We had sunny fresh weather and walking through the ruins was very pleasant.
Written 12 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan.sco
Dubai, United Arab Emirates1,219 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Good place to go exploring for an hour. Can be muddy though so be prepared! Not as spectacular as Baalbeck or Byblos but a bit more off the beaten track.
You will see ruins of Mosques, churches and the old village. Some has been restored after the event.
You will see ruins of Mosques, churches and the old village. Some has been restored after the event.
Written 17 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
midway42
Georgia3,423 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
Famously constructed during a single historical time period, the ruins at Aanjar were a natural segue from my visit to Baalbek. Located within view of the Syrian border, the site is the second UNESCO World Heritage designee in the Bekaa Valley. We visited before our trip to Ksara Winery (see separate review), spending about an hour with an excellent guide. Admission is reasonable, I believe 6,000LBP.
The tour started at the site entrance (go figure), as we saw the numerous residences while walking down Cardo Maximus with the shops on our left. We reached the tetrapylon next, with Decumanus Maximus bisecting the route. A somewhat logical visit to the mosque followed with a review of the Great Palace. Walking back towards the entrance, we saw the Little Palace, mosaic remains, and public baths.
I certainly don’t regret a visit here but to be honest it was a bit run-of-the-mill compared to places such as Baalbek and Byblos. The ruins themselves were fairly skeletal and it took quite a bit of imagination to picture the area as a functioning urban center, not to mention a flourishing Islamic inland trading center at the apex of the Umayyad caliphate. Furthermore, there were minimal signs in English, no adjoining museum, and the gift store was a bit routine. An area of historic importance? No question. Worth a visit? Maybe, if you have the time, although I would hit Baalbek first. Work to be done to make it better? Definitely.
The tour started at the site entrance (go figure), as we saw the numerous residences while walking down Cardo Maximus with the shops on our left. We reached the tetrapylon next, with Decumanus Maximus bisecting the route. A somewhat logical visit to the mosque followed with a review of the Great Palace. Walking back towards the entrance, we saw the Little Palace, mosaic remains, and public baths.
I certainly don’t regret a visit here but to be honest it was a bit run-of-the-mill compared to places such as Baalbek and Byblos. The ruins themselves were fairly skeletal and it took quite a bit of imagination to picture the area as a functioning urban center, not to mention a flourishing Islamic inland trading center at the apex of the Umayyad caliphate. Furthermore, there were minimal signs in English, no adjoining museum, and the gift store was a bit routine. An area of historic importance? No question. Worth a visit? Maybe, if you have the time, although I would hit Baalbek first. Work to be done to make it better? Definitely.
Written 19 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon P
Sydney, Australia41 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
I stopped off here on the way to Baalbek. The buildings of the Roman influenced builders can be easily explored. The bath houses with the ancient mosaics are worth seeing, as well the lines of shops which are on both sides of the roads leading to the palace.
Worth seeing, and even better with a guide who will explain the sudden and deadly end to this town.
Worth seeing, and even better with a guide who will explain the sudden and deadly end to this town.
Written 19 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How old are these ruins and we’re these ruins a part of the Roman Empire.
Written 12 September 2019
Hello, no these ruins were not part of the roman empire, rather they were built by the umayyad caliphate in the 8th century
Written 1 December 2019
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