Ten kilometers south
of Tyre lies the village of Qlayle. The scattered archaeological
remains (granite and marble columns, large capitals, mosaics with
beautiful geometrical motifs resembling the Byzantine cross and
surrounded by poppies) bear witness to the historical significance
of the site. In 1996, a vaulted tomb with central pillars preceded
by a stepped dromos was accidentally discovered. In the same year,
a water cistern (20m x 10m) hewn in the rock was also found. Another
historical monument is the mausoleum where, according to popular
tradition, the prophet Umran, the father of the Holy Virgin, is
buried. It is a rectangular domed building (9.5m x 7.5m) surrounded
by iron bars.
From Qlayle continue to nearby Umm al Awamid. The ruins of the ancient
settlement are located on a rocky promontory overlooking the coastal
strip extending from Ras al Bayada in the north to Ras al Naqura
in the south. In this area, the plain is very narrow and mountain
and sea practically join together. This is the natural southern
border of the Tyrian territory.).
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South Lebanon:
