sidon

Sidon, known in Arabic as Saida, is a historic Mediterranean port city in southern Lebanon. Located on the coast about 40 kilometers south of Beirut, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and was a major center of Phoenician trade. Along with Tyre and Byblos, Sidon formed a prominent Phoenician network that facilitated commerce and craftsmanship across the ancient Mediterranean.

In antiquity, Sidon supplied goods such as glassware and textiles and participated in long-distance trade across the region. The city later came under successive empires, including the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs, before the Crusaders built the Sidon Sea Castle in the 13th century. The old city preserves a medieval market district and religious monuments from different periods, including mosques and churches, as well as the harbor area and city walls.

Today Sidon is a major urban center in southern Lebanon, serving as a commercial port and regional hub. The city retains a historic core with winding souks, stone houses, and waterfront promenades. It continues to play a significant role in Lebanon’s economy, culture, and education, while reflecting a long, multi-layered history that connects the Levant’s ancient civilizations to the modern era.