Ras Baalbek

For the archaeological site of this name, see Ras Baalbek I.

Ras Baalbek رأس بعلبك
Village
Our Lady of Ras Baalbek Convent
Ras Baalbek Location in Lebanon
Coordinates: 34°15′35″N 36°25′25″E
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Baalbek-Hermel
District	Baalbek
Elevation	3,000 ft (1,000 m)
Population  (2015)
• Total	6,000

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

1. Michel M. Alouf (July 1999). History of Baalbek. Book Tree. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-1-58509-063-1. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
2. Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 144
3. Robert Boulanger (1966). The Middle East: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran. Hachette. p. 212.
4. Justin Salhani (24 Sep 2014). "Ras Baalbek's Christians take up arms". The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
5. "Our Lady of Ras Baalbek". Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.

Bibliography

• Robinson, E.; Smith, E. (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the year 1838. Vol. 3. Boston: Crocker & Brewster.

External links

• Ras Baalbek website
• Ras Baalbek