Boqsmaya Temple/Church

Boqsmaya houses the remnants of a medieval era church, adjacent to a modern one, known as St. Simon.

Structure

The church is cubic in shape, with one nave and an apse, built from the remains of a unknown era temple. The latter’s structural elements are clear: large rectangular stone blocks, a lintel topping the main door, an architrave and a capital found inside the church.

The main door features on its southern side a block of stone emerging out of the facade, bearing what seems to look like a bicorn cross, symbol of the Anchorites (Hermits).

The church was probably built by the Crusaders, with no clear indication if an older one existed from the Byzantine era.

_References:_

_La Vie Religieuse Au Liban Sous L’Empire Romain – Julien Aliquo_