Temple of Eshmun

The Temple of Eshmun is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Eshmun, the Phoenician god of healing [1]. It is located near the Awali river, 2 kilometres northeast of Sidon in southwestern Lebanon [1]. The site was occupied from the 7th century BC to the 8th century AD, suggesting an integrated relationship with the nearby city of Sidon [1]. The sanctuary consists of an esplanade and a grand court limited by a huge limestone terrace wall that supports a monumental podium which was once topped by Eshmun's Greco-Persian style marble temple [1]. The sanctuary features a series of ritual ablution basins fed by canals channeling water from the Asclepius river (modern Awali) and from the sacred "YDLL" spring; these installations were used for therapeutic and purificatory purposes that characterize the cult of Eshmun [1]. The sanctuary site has yielded many artifacts of value, especially those inscribed with Phoenician texts, such as the Bodashtart inscriptions and the Eshmun inscription [1]. The podium stands 22 metres high, runs 50 metres into the hillside, and boasts a 70-metre wide façade [1].