Travel Guide Arqa

Located 6 km north of El Aabdé in the direction of Halba, the archaeology enthusiasts can go to Arqa, the birthplace of Alexander, located 6 km north of El Aabde. To reach the archaeological tell-tale whose origins date back to Neolithic, it is necessary before arriving at Halba, to turn right on the road that passes over an old bridge. And cross the small village of Arqa to see the site.Since 1972, teams of Lebanese and French archaeologists have managed to exhume seventeen successive layers of occupations from Neolithic to medieval. This city appears to have been a regional centre prosperous for a millennium. Excavations helped to discover a set of houses, a craft district of the bronze age. Important in Phoenician times, Arqa is also mentioned in Assyrian texts. The city will have a period of prosperity in Roman times, where it was called Arca Caesarea, the Liban of Lebanon. The main sanctuary is dedicated to Venus Lugens "the sad", another to Astarté, goddess poliade. Arqa will experience continuous occupation until the time of mamelouke. On their first expedition, the Crusaders discovered a strong and prosperous city surrounded by rivers, forests and olive trees. With an area of 7 hectares and a height of 30 to 40 m, the tell of Arqa dominates the whole plain of Akkar in Northern Lebanon, about kilometres from Tripoli. The site offers a view on the plain. The Ministry of Culture and the General Directorate of Antiques envisage the construction of a museum adjacent to the site in the future.