About Byblos, Lebanon:
Byblos (Arabic: جُبَيْل, Jubayl or Jbeil) is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, located on the Mediterranean coast in Lebanon’s Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, about 25 miles (40 km) north of Beirut. First settled between 8800 and 7000 BC during the Neolithic period, it evolved from a fishing village into a major Phoenician trading hub, exporting cedar wood, papyrus, and other goods to ancient Egypt and beyond. The city’s Greek name “Byblos” derives from the word for papyrus (býblos), reflecting its role in early trade networks.
It has layers of ruins from successive civilizations, including Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Byblos was a key Phoenician city-state known as Gubla (Akkadian) or Kubna (Egyptian), fostering the spread of the alphabet and Mediterranean commerce.
It was conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C., ruled by Greeks and Romans, and later by Arabs, Ottomans, and the French Mandate until Lebanon’s independence in 1943. Archaeological sites reveal Neolithic dwellings, Bronze Age settlements, royal necropolises, and Egyptian-influenced temples.
The population today is predominantly Maronite Christian, with minorities of Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, Shia, and Sunni Muslims. It sends three representatives to Lebanon’s parliament: two Maronites and one Shia Muslim.
Note: The Maronite Church is one of the “Eastern Catholic Churches” (or sui iuris churches) that accept the Pope’s authority and is in communion with Rome. They follow the Antiochene tradition, using Syriac/Aramaic in their liturgy, which reflects their ancient roots in the Middle East. Maronites have maintained uninterrupted communion with the Holy See since the 4th century, differentiating them from other Eastern churches that broke away.
Pope Leo XIV visited Lebanon in late November/early December 2025, and although he did not stop in Byblos as part of his trip, crowds lined the roads from Byblos to Annaya Monastery where he visited the tomb of St. Charbel.
Catholic places of interest in and around Byblos, Lebanon:
These sites offer glimpse into Lebanon’s rich Christian history, from Crusader architecture to ancient monastic life and local saints (venerati).
Al Qatteen Convent (Sghar): An ancient, rock-cut monastery with caves and remnants of rooms, dating back to the 6th century.
Monastery of St. Rafqa (Jrebta): A significant pilgrimage destination featuring beautiful gardens, stunning frescoes, and the tomb of St. Rafqa, a revered Lebanese Maronite saint, located between Byblos and Batroun.
Saint John-Marc Cathedral (Byblos): Romanesque church built by Crusaders in 1115, dedicated to the town’s patron saint.
Saint Phocas Church (Amioun): Another Crusader-era church with remarkable 12th and 13th-century paintings, including Christ descending to hell.
Saint Tedros Church (Behdidat): Features extensive 13th-century frescoes depicting salvation history, showing Christ, Saint George, and Saint Theodore.