Saida of Lebanon plays a significant role in ancient history. Located 48km south of Beirut, Saida remains one of the most mysterious cities of Lebanon. Having an unstable, scattered past Sidon draws the attention of the tourists at once. Many of the beautiful and important objects have been taken away by the 19th century treasure hunters as well as amateur archaeologists of the 19th century. Some of these objects can be found in foreign museums presently.
Even today you can find some of the marvelous objects of Sayda in the antiquities markets of the world. But the ancient constructions have been destroyed and modern buildings have replaced them. The surviving intriguing elements give you a glimpse of the glory of the golden days. Today Sayda has become a busy commercial center being the largest city in the south Lebanon.
There are a number of sites to visit in Saida. You can explore places like
- The Sea Castle: This fortress was built in the 13th century by the Crusaders.
- Government Rest house: Located next to the castle this rest house provides you with mouthwatering dishes.
- The Souks: A traditional coffee house can be seen on the edge of the souk. The vibrant populace of this place increases the charm even more.
- Khan El Franj: This caravansary was made by Fakhreddine. It is known as the cultural center of Saida.
- The Great Mosque: This was built in the 13th century.
- Qalaat El Muizz or The Castle of St. Louis: During the Crusade led by French King Louis IX this castle was erected.
- Murex Hill: This artificial hill was made of the refuse from the purple dye factories of Phoenician times.
- Old Ports: Facing south towards Egypt this is also known as the Egyptian Port.
When you come to Saida you realize that this is not a place where history is a thing of the past but of the present.
