THE UMAYYAD ROUTE

Ever wondered how the Umayyad’s lived? With a new Eu-funded tour ism project, that connects the countr ies through which the dynasty once ruled, you’ll be able to see firsthand the remnants of their impressive empire that spanned the Mediterranean region from Andalucía, Sicily and the Algar ve to Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia. In Lebanon the route links the Umayyad City of Anjar and the city of Baalbeck to Tr ipoli, Byblos, Beirut, Saida and Tyre. A team of exper ts are developing tour istic packages that follow the Umayyad Route with the first test tr ips planned for May. The project is expected to boost sustainable tour ism in Lebanon and promote a cross-border collaboration. In Anjar, a digital museum is planned, comprising of an information center and librar y documenting the histor y of the Umayyad Dynasty.