"Sidon-LEBANON" a Sidon Travel Page by nadina

Saida is one of the Famous names in ancient history. But of all of Lebanon's cities this is the most mysterious, for its past has been tragically scattered and plundered.In the 19th century, treasure hunters and amateurarchaeologists made off with many of its most beautiful

and important objects, some of which can now be seen in foreign museums.

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Sidon-south Lebanon

This city was center of the pottery, glass and purple dye industries...

located in South Lebanon

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The Temple of Eshmoun.south-Lebanon

The Temple of Eshmoun.

At the right of the bridge on the Awali River just before reaching Sidon, is a spot known as "Bustan el Sheikh," site of the Temple of Eshmoun. This important monument goes back to the Persian period (6th century B.C.) when Sidon was at its zenith.

As the god of healing, Eshmoun was identified with Asklepios, the Greek god of medical arts. Each Phoenician city state had its own gods, and Eshmoun was one of the favorites of Sidon during its golden age, the 6th and 5th centuries B.C:

Additions were made to the temple in subsequent eras and it remained a sacred shrine and place of pilgrimage well into the first centuries A.D.