|
|
Although there are remnants of Egyptian,
Assyrian, Phoenician, Greek, Byzantine, Arab, and Ottoman civilizations in
the city, it is the Roman ruins that are most prominent in Tyre today.
Highlights include the largest Roman hippodrome
in the world, an enormous triumphal arch, and an extensive Roman necropolis.
Tyre’s archaeological treasures are spread over
three main sites:
 Entering the Al-Mina Site (Area 1), visitors walk along a long colonnaded
road, leading from the ancient marketplace down to the harbor. Mosaics from
the Byzantine period line the pavement. The site includes the ruins of an
unusual rectangular Roman pool (probably used for water sports), an extensive
Roman bathhouse complex, and mosaic-floored residential buildings. The current
site
was once two Phoenician island cities that were joined together by King Hiram
in the 10th century BC. Looking off into the harbor, visitors can see large
stones above the surface of the water, which are the remnants of the
Phoenician jetties and breakwaters.
A short distance north of the Al-Mina site is a Crusader Cathedral (Area 2),
where visitors can view the 12th century church’s foundations and granite
columns. According to legend, the King of Jerusalem was once crowned here,
and the remains of the German king Frederick Barbarossa are buried here. The
cathedral is surrounded by a network of Roman and Byzantine roads and other
buildings.
Perhaps the most impressive ruins are located at the large Al-Bass Site (Area
3), a 20-30 minute walk east of the other two sites. This walk takes you
through a residential section of Tyre called Hay el-Ramel, or the “Quarter of
Sand,” which is in fact the causeway built by Alexander the Great during his
siege of the ancient island city in 332 BC.
 At the Al-Bass site, a monumental triple bay stone archway towers over an
ancient Roman road that led into the city. Running alongside this road are
the remains of the aqueducts that supplied the city with water. A massive
necropolis reveals hundreds of ornate stone and marble sarcophagi from the
Roman and Byzantine periods (dating from as early as the 2nd century BC
through the 6th century AD). Also located at the Al-Bass site is the largest
and best-preserved Roman hippodrome in the world. Death-defying chariot races
took place here, and the enormous stone stands (which have been partially
reconstructed) once seated over 20,000 people.
While a visit to Tyre’s ruins alone can occupy several hours or a day, there
is a wealth of other activities and attractions for visitors to the
area. Adventure-lovers can snorkel or dive in search of underwater Phoenician
and Roman ruins that lie submerged off the coast of the city or in search of
a glimpse of the famed murex sea snail. Culture-lovers will enjoy exploring
the bustling Ottoman-era souqs in the old city and visiting the waterside
fish restaurants that overlook the colorful harbor. In close proximity to
Tyre are several biblical sites, which include the Tomb of King Hiram, the
Phoenician King of Tyre who was a contemporary of Kind David and King
Solomon, and the village of Qana, where it is believed that Jesus turned
water into wine.
Lebanese Ministry of Tourism
Page 1 - 2 -
3 |
In Phoenician times, Tyre was famous for its
export of richly dyed purple textiles, using a dye extracted from the murex
sea snail. Because of its rarity, the color was typically worn by royalty.
The Tyrean purple dye was so highly valued that the Greeks named the people
living in the city state “Phoenicians,” after the Greek word for “purple.”