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Souk al-Khan, one of the oldest and biggest markets in Lebanon, dates back to the mid-14th century AD.
It was built by the governor of the region at the time, Abu Bakr al-Shihabi, as a trading post for local merchants and foreign convoys arriving from Syria and heading to Palestine and the Mediterranean coast, and vice versa.
Souk al-khan is believed to be the location (or anywhere near it) where Prince Ali, son of Emir Fakhr al-Din II, was killed in the series of battles against of the ottomans.
The market place remained active until the Israeli invasion in 1982 caused its destruction. A modern market has been established near the ancient one, the latter converted into an open air museum and for annual festivities.
