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(1300m
- 6km from Beirut) - "Holy Valley" of History"
The Qadisha Valley near Bsharreh marks the start of a deep geological fault whose extending valleys reach out of sight to the sea. The word
"Qadisha" comes from a Semitic root meaning "holy" and Wadi
Qadisha is the "Holy Valley". Filled with caves and rock
shelters inhabited from the third millennium B.C. to the Roman period, the valley is
scattered with chapels, hermitages and monasteries cut from rock. In the 7th century it was inhabited by Christian monks who settled in almost inaccessible limestone caves to lead ascetic lives. A number of monasteries were built in this area, the most important of which are Deir
Qannoubin, an ancient seat of the Maronite Patriarchate; Deir Qouzhayya, site of the first printing press in the Middle East and Deir Mar
Elisha, where the Maronite Order of Lebanese Monks was founded in 1635. The gorge is best explored on foot
a narrow vehicular road descends to the bottom, but it is more fun to take one of the paths from the villages of
Tourza, Blawza, Hadchit,
Hasroun
and Diman.
The Qadisha River, whose source is the Qadisha Grotto, runs through the valley, continuing down to Tripoli where it becomes the Abu Ali River. On the old road between the
Cedars
and Bcharreh
is the
Qadisha Grotto, where water thunders down from snow-fed springs. A sign marks the spot
where you take a footpath from the roadside to the cave, a walk of about ten minutes. The cave is lighted to show
its limestone formations, but the rushing water and cool temperatures are the main attractions here. Below the cave is a powerful waterfall,
especially full in spring months. Closed during the winter, in summer this is the site of an outdoor restaurant and cafe.
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Getting
There ...
From Chekka take the main highway east towards Amyoun passing
through Hadath El Jebbe, and Bcharreh. The valley can be
accessed by foot from any of the following villages which you may pass
through along the way: Tourza, Blawza, Hadchit, Hasroun
and Diman. (See
North Map)
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