Ras Baalbek
رأس بعلبك | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Our Lady of Ras Baalbek Convent | |
  Ras Baalbek Location in Lebanon | |
| Coordinates: 34°15′35″N 36°25′25″E / 34.25972°N 36.42361°E | |
| Country |  Lebanon |
| Governorate | Baalbek-Hermel |
| District | Baalbek |
| Elevation | 3,000 ft (1,000 m) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 15,000 |
Ras Baalbek (Arabic: رأس بعلبك) is a village in the northern Beqaa Valley in Lebanon.
Ras Baalbek is 500 metres west of a Neolithic rock shelter called Ras Baalbek I.
To the east there are ruins 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.[1] 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 by the Roman aqueduct.[1]
In 1838, Eli Smith noted Ras Baalbek's population as being predominantly Catholic Christian.[2]
In 2014, the war with ISIS in the nearby village of Arsal resulted in the residents of Ras Baalbek forming a militia to protect the village. The militias were allied to the Lebanese Armed Forces.[3] In September 2016 the Lebanese Army attacked Islamic State positions near Ras Baalbek.[4]
Around 15,000 people live in Ras Baalbek. The population is entirely Christian, mainly Greek Catholic,[5][6] having switched from Greek Orthodoxy in 1721.[7]
The village is fashion designer Zuhair Murad's hometown.
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