Ras Baalbek
رأس بعلبك | |
---|---|
Village | |
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 | 6,000 |
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]
Around 6,000 people live in Ras Baalbek. The population is entirely Christian, mainly Greek Catholic,[3][4] having switched from Greek Orthodoxy in 1721.[5]