Journey Through the Layers of Lebanon

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Discover Lebanon’s layered history, from the resilience of Beirut to the prehistoric beauty of Jeita Caves and the ancient wonders of Byblos. This episode explores a country shaped by civilizations, conflict, and creativity—revealing a destination that feels like an open-air museum filled with culture, natural marvels, and timeless stories.

Transcript

00:00Lebanon, a country at the crossroads

00:26of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

00:32The capital city of Beirut has been destroyed and rebuilt several times due to wars and earthquakes,

00:38and so it's nicknamed the Phoenix City, symbolizing its resilience and ability to rise from destruction.

00:49Walking around, you can see each layer of history that tells a story from ancient civilizations

00:55to modern life.

00:57There's a whole city underground.

01:00It's the ancient Roman ruins right in the center of Beirut.

01:04You can stumble upon incredible sites like the ruins of the first Roman law school.

01:10And because there are so many, it's impossible to mark and protect every site, leaving many

01:15of these treasures unkept and giving you a raw look at the city's untold stories.

01:22Places like Martyrs Square, tied to the 2019 revolution, and the site of the 2020 Beirut

01:29blast serve as powerful reminders of Lebanon's decades of conflict.

01:35But there are also symbols of hope and unity all around the city.

01:40Pope John Paul II declared so in 1997, saying Lebanon was a role model of peaceful coexistence

01:47and religious freedom in the Middle East.

01:50Lebanon is also home to one of the world's most breathtaking natural wonders, the Jeddah Caves.

01:57These caves are more than 6 million years old, with stalactites and stalagmites that feel otherworldly.

02:05But they are more than just a geological marvel.

02:08The Jeddah Caves are guardians of human history, with evidence of prehistoric activity,

02:14including the ancient Phoenicians, one of the earliest great civilizations.

02:24Sites like these are all across Lebanon, including one of the greatest archaeological treasures

02:29in the world, the ancient city of Byblos.

02:34Yala! Behind me is the oldest inhabited city in the world. It is so ancient. But where I am right now

02:41is a castle that is built by the crusaders in the 12th century. But that is just only one part of the story.

02:47For thousands of years, Byblos was a major Phoenician port connecting civilizations across the Mediterranean.

02:57The archaeological site reflects the layered history, from Neolithic settlements to Phoenician temples,

03:04Roman theaters, and Crusader fortifications. It's a fascinating display as each era left its mark on this UNESCO World Heritage site.

03:16Byblos is also where the first alphabet took shape, marking one of humanity's biggest leaps in communication.

03:24And what's remarkable today is that modern life sits right on top of these ruins, cafes, markets, and homes

03:34woven into a city that's been alive for more than 7,000 years.

03:41And that's the story of Lebanon, a beautiful land of contrast, ancient yet alive, resilient yet welcoming.

03:50And if the opportunity presents itself, a trip here will feel like stepping into an open-air museum.

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