Faqra, Byzantine Church

Faqra: site of several Roman monuments on the western slopes of the Lebanon Mountains.

Faqra, Byzantine Church

The Byzantine basilica at Faqra was built directly north of the Temple of Atargatis, which became an annex to the church and was reused as a baptistery. The columns in the Doric building order were probably made in the fourth or fifth century, and were not taken from a nearby altar or temple, although it is certainly tempting to assume that some of them may once have graced the Tower of Claudius or the Great Altar. The church itself is a typical Christian basilica with three naves, a narthex, and an apse.