Religious diversity is a vital component of Lebanese culture and contributes to the country's richness. This is just a glimpse of what Lebanon has to offer, along with the unwavering optimism that welcomes visitors like few other world capitals do.
Like many regions in Lebanon, the old city of Saida exemplifies the diversity and coexistence of individuals from various religious sects, featuring four churches, seven mosques, and one synagogue. The synagogue was built over an older synagogue in 883 AD and is believed to be one of the oldest synagogues in the world. According to the gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus had preached in the Sidon synagogue.
Located in the old Jewish neighborhood known as "Harat Al-Yahoud," the synagogue remains situated there to this day, although the area's name has been changed to "Haret Gaza" (Gaza neighborhood) since it is currently inhabited by Palestinians.
