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(Phoenician
High Place - 50 km from Beirut)
A splendidly isolated altar of great beauty, Mashnaqa occupies a choice location on the sacred road from Byblos to Afqa,
the source of the Adonis. The site gives an idea of the traditional
biblical High-Places characteristic of the Canaanites and Phoenicians. A
large rectangular wall marks the sacred enclosure, in the middle of which
rises an Altar. A square structure surrounded by columns, the altar
encloses the bases of two earlier altars, arranged and reoriented by the
Romans for their own rituals.
The rocks overlooking the road leading to the site are carved with funerary niches, some of which still have their lids. Almost every tomb has sculpted scenes that relate to funeral rites or to the hunting prowess of the deceased. A few hundred meters east of
Mashnaqa a road to the southeast descends towards the village of Frat. About 5 km further on is a lovely riverside spot known as "Janneh"
or paradise.
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Getting There ...
Travel north from Beirut
along the coastal highway towards Byblos (Jbeil) passing
through Jounieh, Tabarja, and El Aaqaybe. A few
kilometers away get on the Qartaba off ramp, a major exit, heading
uphill towards Qartaba, driving past Bir El Hayt
before reaching Machnaqa.
(See
Mount Lebanon Map)
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