Anjar, Lebanon

Anjar, located in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border, is a significant archaeological site that showcases the blend of Umayyad and Roman architectural styles. Founded in the early 8th century CE, the city is attributed to the Umayyad caliph al-Walid I or his son al-Abbas. This palace-city, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, features a rectangular Roman city plan with fortified stone walls and two main colonnaded avenues that intersect at a tetrapylon. Although much of the construction reused earlier materials, the city was largely built on virgin soil. Its historical significance lies in its role as a testament to the Umayyad era's urban planning and architectural prowess, making it an invaluable site for understanding early Islamic civilization.