Local time Saturday 12:33 AM | Governorate Baalbek-Hermel Elevation 1,000 m Population 2,000 (1999) | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind SW at 6 km/h, 61% Humidity | ||
Mechwar ras baalbek 03 085 2014
Ras Baalbek (Arabic: رأس بعلبك) is a village in the northern Beqaa Valley in Lebanon.
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Map of Ras Baalbek, Lebanon
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 to the east where some other ruins can be found 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. It is also 500 metres west of a Neolithic rock shelter called Ras Baalbek I. The village is also fashion designer Zuhair Murad's hometown.
In 2014, the war with ISIS in the nearby village of Arsal resulted in the residents of Ras Baalbek forming a militia led by Rifaat Mtanos Nasrallah, to protect the city and its majority Christian population. The militias are supported by Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces. In September 2016 the Lebanese Army attacked Islamic State positions near Ras Baalbek.
Demographics
Around 15,000 people live in Ras Baalbek. The population is entirely Christian, mainly Greek Catholic, having switched from Orthodox Christianity in 1721.