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Chapel Of Mar Chmouni (Saint Chmouni)
Built under a rocky ledge in the middle Ages, this chapel has three naves, two of which were manmade while the third was set within a natural rocky crevice. A few years ago its walls were still entirely covered with paintings in the Syro Byzantine style of the first half of the 13th century. Unfortunately, a zealous donor hid these paintings under a layer of plaster.
How to get there:
Located at the point where Wadi Houla and Wadi Qannouhin meet, this chapel near Deir es Salib can he reached by a difficult 30 minute walk from Hadcbit or by path from the bottom of the valley.
Deir Marantonios Qozhaya (Monastery of St. Anthony Qozhaya)
This popular hermitage is one of the largest in the valley. Continuously in use since the Early Middle Ages, according to accounts, monastic life there had already been established by the mid 12th century. The structure was most recently renovated in 1926 and the church, partly carved from living rock, was last repaired in 1864. A new museum, completed in 1995, houses a collection of sacred and ethnographic objects, as well as an old printing press. The printing press, purchased in 1871, replaced the original older one imported from Rome by the Maronite monks in the last quarter of the 18th century and installed in the monastery in 1815. Even earlier, the monastery had portable presses imported from Europe, which were used to print the Book of Psalms in 1585 and 1610. Near the entrance of the monastery is the grotto of Saint Anthony, known locally as the "Cave of the Mad." Here one can see the chains that were used to constrain the insane or the possessed who were left at the monastery in the care of the Saint.
How to get there:
By car starting at Aarbet Qozhaya, or on foot by a path from the bottom of the valley.
Chapel of Saydet Hawqa (Our Lady of Hawqa)
This little monastery, consisting of a chapel and a few monks’ cells, was constructed within a shallow cave. Chroniclers date it to around the end of the 13th century. They also associate the monastery with an attack by armed Mamlukes against the natural fortress of Aassi Hawqa, located in a cave above the monastery. In this fortress, accessible only by experienced rock climbers, there are some paintings and a long Christian inscription in Arabic dating to 1193. Deserted most of the year, the monastery itself becomes the site of pilgrimage during the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin and a high mass is celebrated at the site on the evening of August 14.
How to get there:
By car from Blawza to Hawqa then a 30-minute walk from Hawqa over a steep path, or, by a path from the bottom of the valley.
Deir es Salib (Monastery of the Cross)
Built beneath a huge natural ledge, this monastery has a double chapel and a number of caves in the Cliffside, which were used as hermits' cells. Now completely deserted and falling into ruin, some of its structures are still visible, including wall foundations, a large arcade and some sections of the mud walls of the cells that were built around it. In the 12th?13th centuries the chapel walls were covered with frescoes in the Byzantine style. Still visible are fragments representing the Apostles, the Church Fathers, and scenes inspired by the New Testament including the Annunciation and the Crucifixion. Inscriptions in Arabic, not to be confused with modern graffiti, preserve the memory of a hermit who lived here.
How to get there:
A difficult path descends from Hadchit (about 3 0 minutes), or you can take the path from the bottom of the valley.
Deir Mar Elishaa (Monastery of Saint Eliseus)
Built into a shallow cave where the hermits' cells were fashioned, this hermitage was known to travellers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The church is set in the cliff, and includes four small chapels fitted into the rock. Beneath the church is the tomb of a local Capuchin, Father Francis de Chasteuil, who died in 1644. While the monastery cannot be dated precisely, it is known that a Maronite bishop lived here in the 14th century and that it was here that the Lebanese Maronite Order was founded in 1695.
How to get there:
A steep winding road leads to the monastery.
Deir Qannoubin
This is the monastery that gave its name to this part of the valley. Qannoubin, from Kenobion, means “monastery” in Greek. A model of simplicity and austerity, according to local tradition this is a very ancient site. As the Maronite patriarchal seat from the 15th to the 19th centuries, it has long been an integral part of the valley. The monastery's church, half built into the rock, is decorated with frescos dated from the beginning of the 18th century. Near the entrance lies a vault with a naturally mummified body, allegedly that of Patriarch Yousef Tyan. Not far from there is the chapel cave of St. Marina, celebrated saint of the valley, where the remains of 17 Maronite patriarchs are buried.
How to get there:
A path goes from Blawza to the bottom of the valley and up to Qannoahin. The walk takes about an hour.
Diman
In the 19th century Diman succeeded Deir Qannoubin as the residence of the Maronite Patriarch. Today it is the patriarchal summer residence. The church is famous for its frescoes
by the Lebanese painter Saliba Doueihy.
Ehden
This village, which goes back to the middle Ages, is known for its old souk and picturesque main square, or "Midan," where the entire village gathers on long summer evenings. The village church preserves the mummified body of Yousef Karam, national hero of the 19th century. A little further on, Deir Mar Sarkis has several small chapels, the oldest dating to the 13th and 14th centuries. There is also the chapel of Mar Mema, (Saint Mamas) built in 749. The village is dominated by Saydet el Hosn (Our Lady of the Citadel), which was probably built upon the remains of an ancient building. From its terrace is a magnificent view of the cedar grove and the valley extending all the way to Tripoli and the sea.
Horsh Ehden, one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Lebanon, protects rare species of trees, plants, flowers and animals.
Deir Mar Semaan (Saint Simon Hermitage)
According to local tradition, Takla, daughter of a Bsharreh?born priest named Basil, founded this hermitage in 1112. The site has four rooms, set into natural caves in the side of the cliff. With its vestiges of cisterns and traces of frescoes, this is an excellent example of a typical rock?cut hermitage, and shows something of the daily life of the hermits of Qadisha valley.
How to get there:
A path from the road leads to the hermitage. The walk takes about 15 minutes.
Qadisha Grotto
Not far from the top of the old road between Bshatreh and the Cedars, a long path on the side of the cliff leads to this cave and waterfall. Here one can admire the small grotto with rushing waters, stalactites and stalagmites.
Hasroun
Hasroun is one of the last villages in Lebanon to preserve its traditional red roofed houses. From here a path leads to the valley of Qadisha, past the old church of Mar Mikhail (Saint Michael) and the Monastery of Mar Yaaqoub (Saint Jacob).
Bqaa Kafra
The Highest village of Lebanon, Bqaa Kafra is 1750 meters high. With its rustic old houses and narrow streets, this village is famous as the birthplace of Lebanon's Saint Charbel, whose father's house was transformed into a church. St. Charbel's feast is celebrated on the third Sunday of July.
Qornet es Sawda
At 3088 meters, this is the highest peak in Lebanon. The view from the summit stretches west to the sea and East to the Beqaa valley and Anti?Lebanon Mountains
How to get there: A road suitable for walking (two hours) or for four wheel drive vehicles starts from Dahr el Qadih on the highest point of the road between the Cedars and Yammouneh.
Chapel of Saydet Eddarr
(Our Lady of Abundant Milk)
Midway between Bsharreh and Hadchit a path leads to a small rock cut sanctuary venerated by nursing women. Its rock walls are covered with painted murals of the 14th century, the best preserved of which depicts the Baptism of Christ.
Amenities If you don't want to return from Qadisha empty handed, you can bring back at least one of the numerous souvenirs made of cedar wood or some of the area's delicious fruits and vegetables especially during the summer season. There are many restaurants in the Qadisha area, even in the heart of the valley. At the Cedars and around the edge of the valley, restaurants can be found at every turn. The most famous, however, are those of the Nahaa Mar Sarkis at Ebden known for their local specialties and their mezzé, an assortment of hors d'oeuvre. |
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TRAVEL LEBANON > HOLY PLACES 
