In the 9th century, tribes from the
northern areas of the Arabian Peninsula, known as the
Tanukhiyoun, began settling in the southern areas of the
mountain range and in the 11t
h century these tribes became Druze
and ruled the areas of Mount Lebanon stretching from Metn in the
north to Jezzine in the south, this entire area became known as
the ‘Jabal ad-Duruz’. In the early 1600s, Emir Fakhreddine the
2nd ascended the throne in the Druze part of the mountains known
as the Chouf. In an effort to unify Mount Lebanon, Emir
Fakhreddine opened the door to Christian and in particular
Maronite settlement of the Chouf and Metn
Throughout the 1700s and into the 1800s more and more Maronites settled in the Druze regions of the Mount. Seeing their numbers increasing the Maronites began to demand a larger share of the authority. The Druze viewed these Maronite settlements as a threat to their existence in Mount Lebanon and in a series of clashes in the 1840s and 1860s a mini civil war erupted in the area resulting in the death of thousands of Druze and Christians. The Druze won militarily but not politically because European powers (mainly France and Britain) intervened on behalf of the Maronites and divided Mount Lebanon into two areas; Druze and Maronite. Seeing their authority decline in Mount Lebanon, few Lebanese Druzes began migrating to the new Jabal ad-Duruz in southern Syria. In 1861 the "Mount Lebanon" autonomous district was established within the Ottoman system, under an international guarantee.
BHAMDOUN
Bhamdoun (Arabic: بحمدون) is a town in Lebanon 23 kilometers
(14 mi) from Beirut on the main road that leads to Damascus,
lying at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,609 ft) above the
Lamartine valley.
Two separate villages compose the town, Bhamdoun-el-mhatta (literally meaning "Bhamdoun the station") and Bhamdoun-el-day'aa ("Bhmadoun the village"). A railroad used to link Bhamdoun to Beirut with the train station being a prominent feature of the town for many years. The station and railroad were eventually abandoned when cars became more popular.
Before the Lebanese civil war, Bhamdoun was one of Lebanon's most renowned and favorite summer resorts. Today, the town has regained some of its past touristic industry as most of its hotels, restaurants and entertainment centers have been renovated or rebuilt. Tourists, especially from the Gulf region who once knew Bhamdoun, are returning to spend their summer vacation there. Many have also purchased houses or built their own.
In 2000, a winery called Chateau Belle-Vue began planting vines, creating jobs in the village. It began producing wine in 2003. The "Renaissance 2003" blend that it produced won the International Spirits and Wine Competition's Gold Medal Best in Class award in 2005, and the wine is now available at restaurants and hotels on three continents.
ALEY
Aley is a picturesque town in Mount Lebanon. It is located 17 km uphill from Beirut, just south of the summer resort of Bhamdoun and north of the strategic town of Souk El Gharb.
The word "aley" derivatives from Aramaic, and means "high place," referring to the town's high altitude above sea level.
Aley gained prominence when the railroad that passed through it was built between 1892 and 1895. The railroad linked the Lebanese capital of Beirut to Damascus. The railroad provided the residents of Beirut easy means of transportation to the mountains, and this made Aley a popular destination to spend the summer months and enjoy its pleasant climate. The town was for a while the summer capital of the Ottoman governors of Mount Lebanon. In 2001, the municipality of Aley began renovating the town center, especially its historic souk, and the town quickly revived its role in Lebanon's tourism.
Aley is a major tourist destination in Lebanon and the Middle East. Its location and climate made it a favorable venue for shopping and dining, especially for wealthy Arabs from Persian Gulf states. This resort town with its increasing number of tourists and visitors has become one of the most flourishing resort towns in Mount Lebanon, and thus has garnered its historical name as "The Bride of Summers". The "Souk Aley" is a relatively long boulevard lined with palm trees; there are numerous redroofed stone houses erected on the east side of the street while several street cafes, outdoor restaurants, and nightlife pubs occupy its western side. In addition to these, there are tens of antique shops and retail boutiques along the street, which forms the heart of Aley. Aley also hosts a well-known casino.
HAMMANA
Hammana is a town in Lebanon, about 26 km East of Beirut.
It is in the Mount Lebanon Governorate in the district (or Caza) of Baabda. Nearby is the town of Mdeyrig.
The word "Hammana" may have come from the name of the Phoenician Sun God "Hammon" or "Hamman". These two names are derived from the word "Hama" which means heat of the sun. Hammana is located on the west of Mount Lebanon mountain chain, at an altitude of 1200m. This gives it four seasons, making it an attractive resort, including cool summers and snow in winter.
Hammana has given the world great humanitarian persons, among them we name the doctor Ma Haide (George Hatem) who helped save China from many diseases of the new age, and who was honored by naming the square in the front the town's square after him.
FARAYA
Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian or Faraya-Mzaar (Arabic: فاريا مزار),
also known as Ouyoune el Simane or Aayoun Al Simane, is a ski
area in Lebanon.
Mzaar-Kfardebian was founded in the late 1950s by Cheikh Salim El Khazen who built the Mzaar hotel and the Jabal Dib chair lift initially known as "Le Telesiege- KFARDEBAIN". Simultaneously, a group of pioneers, including Sami Jammal, Robert Nassif, Dr Georges Zebouni and Pr. Emile Riachi, started the development of the ski resort, building the very first ski lifts, The group started building the first residential "Chalets" designed by architect Raoul Vernet kicking off a period of undiscontinued real estate development in the whole area of Kfardebiane. For over two decades, "Mzaar-Kfardebian Tourisme et Sport d'Hiver S.A.L.", the company founded by Cheikh Salim, was chaired by banker Joseph Abdo Khoury. In the early 1980s, the Saudi-Lebanese al-Mabani Group led by Fouad Rizk and Nehme Tohme acquired the majority of its shares and took over the development of the resort.
The ski resort has 42 slopes and 80 kilometres of groomed tracks. The skiing season in Lebanon is similar in length to that of the Alps stretching over a period of 4 months.
The peaks of the Faraya Mzaar mountain range vary between heights of 1913 and 2465 meters. The tallest peak, Mzaar, as well as the Jabal Dib and Warde peaks, offer challenges for the experienced skier or snowboarder. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. Skiing ranges between heights of 1310m at Faraya, 1850m (Ouyoune el Simaan) to 2465m on the peak above Mzaar.
In addition, there are a number of cross-country trails.
From the top of Mzaar, there is a view over the Bekaa valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon and other peaks like Zaarour, Laqlouq and the Cedars. Coastal towns and the capital Beirut can be seen on clear days.
Situated at an elevation of 1550m at the feet of Kfardebian-Mzaar, Faqra has monuments which included: temples, columns, altars and rock cut tombs. The temple of Faqra is partly cut out of the living rock.
On the way to the ruins of Faqra, one can see a bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring thirty eight meters.
BCHARRE
Bsharri (also spelled Becharre, Bcharre, Bsharre; Arabic:
بْشَرِّيْ), is a Lebanese town at about 1,450 m of altitude,
near the Kadisha Valley. It is located at 34°15′4″N 36°0′40″E,
in the Bsharri District of the North Governorate. Bsharri is
just under the Cedar forest and is the birthplace of the famous
poet, painter and sculptor Khalil Gibran who now has a museum in
the town to honor him.
The name Bsharri (بشرّي) can be found in the Phoenician language (بيث الشري) meaning "The House Of Ishtar", Ishtar being a goddess worshipped by the Phoenicians (and King Salomon) before monotheistic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) were adopted in the area.
Bsharri was the site of a Phoenician settlement in ancient times. Maronite Christians fleeing persecution sought refuge in its mountainous terrain in the 7th Century AD. The Kadisha Valley, below the town, became the spiritual center of the Maronite Church. The town was known as Buissera by the Crusades.
In Lebanon, Bsharri natives are characterized as very courageous and fiercely tribal. They are especially known for their distinct accent when they speak Arabic. Unlike other parts of Lebanon, Aramaic was spoken in Bsharri well into the 19th century. As a result, Bsharri natives developed an unmistakably strong accent which lasts to this day and which they are very proud of.
Today, the town is located in a highly touristic zone including such attractions as the Khalil Gibran Tomb and Museum, Kadisha Valley where Antonios Torbey lived as Hermite in the Hermitage of St. Lichaa down in the valley; the Kadisha Grotto, the Cedars of God forest, a ski resort and Bka'kafra (the birthplace of St Charbel).
SHOUF
Chouf (also spelled Shouf, Shuf or Chuf, in Arabic جبل الشوف
Jebel ash-Shouf) is a historic region of Lebanon, as well as an
administrative district in the governorate (mohafazat) of Mount
Lebanon.
Located south-east of Beirut, the region comprises a narrow coastal strip notable for the town of Damour, and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Jabal Barouk, the name of the local Mount Lebanon massif. The Emirs of Lebanon used to have their residence in Chouf, most notably Bachir Chehab II, who built the magnificent palace of Beiteddine during the first half of the 19th century. Another historical town, located just below Beiteddine, is Deir al Qamar (the monastery of the Moon).
Baakline, another large town in the Chouf, used to be the capital of old Mountain of Lebanon, where Amir Fakher El-Deen was born. He switched his residence to Deir al Qamar symbolizing his neutrality.
BZOMMAR
Bzoummar also Bzommar (Arabic: بزمار) is a village in Lebanon.
It is located 36 km northeast of Beirut at an elevation ranging
between 920 and 950m above the Mediterranean. It is part of the
Caza of Keserwan. Bzoummar is home to the 250 year-old Convent
of the Armenian Catholic Church that was built in 1749.
BEKFAYA
Bikfaya (Arabic: بكفيا, also spelled Bickfaya, Beckfayya, or
Bekfaya) is a town in the Matn District region of Mount Lebanon.
Its stone houses with red-tiled roofs resting amidst pine and
oak forests make Bikfaya one of the most sought-after suburbs of
Beirut and one of Lebanon's most popular summer resorts.
La Fête des Fleurs à Beckfayya or the Festival of Flowers has attracted tourists since 1934 when Maurice Gemayel started the festival to attract attention to the mountainous town. Each year, a variety of vehicles decorated with thousands of colorful flowers and fruits parade through Bikfaya's tree-lined main street. Live music bands, bazaars, and the election of three beauty queens: the Queen of Flowers, the Queen of Fruits and the Queen of Sports, are held in the public squares and gardens.
The name Bikfaya is a contraction of the Aramaic (Syriac) compound phrase "Beit Kiifa", בית קיףיא, with "Kifayya" being the relative adjective of the word "rock" or "stone" in Aramaic. And so, Bikfaya would mean the "house of stone" or "the rocky/stony house" with the semantic connotation of "the place, location of stones, or stone quarry."
Bikfaya is nestled in the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean with an elevation ranging from 900 to 1000 meters above sea level. It lies 25 km from Beirut and only a short drive to the Faraya-Mzaar ski resort. Summers in Bikfaya are cool and characterized by periods of fog in the afternoon.
The Greater Bikfaya consists of the towns of Bikfaya بكفيا - Mhaydseh المحيدثة - Sakiyat al Mesek ساقية المسك - Bhersaf بحرصاف
DHOUR CHOUEIR
Dhour El Choueir (Arabic: ضهور الشوير) is a mountain town in
Lebanon ('dhour' meaning 'summit, top [of a mountain]'). It lies
slightly north of the main Beirut Damascus highway. It overlooks
the city of Beirut and the Mediterranean sea. It is 30 km from
Beirut and 42 km from Beirut International Airport.
It is one of Mount Lebanon's most favored summer resorts. Dhour El-Choueir is important for its August yearly carnival, honoring Lebanon's emigrants.
The Greek Catholic monk Abd Allah Zakhir set up an Arabic language printing press using movable type at the monastery of Saint John at Choueir, the first home made press in Lebanon. He personally cut the type molds and did the founding of the elegant typeface. He created the first true Arabic script type in the Middle East. A prior "Arabic" press at the Maar Quz?hayy Monastery in Lebanon had transliterated the Arabic language using Syriac script. The first book off the Zakhir press was in 1734; this press continued to be used until 1899.
It is the birthplace of Anton Saadeh who founded the Syrian Social Nationalist Party and of Tanios Bou-Nader Khneisser, the father of the Sword & Shield Folkloric Dance.