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(45km from Chtaura)
This is where Lebanon's early
national leaders, including Bshara El-Khoury and Riad El-Solh, were held by French mandate authorities during the 1943 rebellion that triggered
Lebanon's independence. Their prison was an eighteenth century citadel that can be
visited today. The Lebanese Army, which is now temporarily stationed at the castle, will
assign a guide to show you around the old vaulted chambers and the rooms where the Lebanese patriots were held.
The town of Rashaya, in a remote corner of Lebanon, has been only lightly
touched by the modern building boom affecting most of the country. On its cobbled main street, small shops sell old fashioned oil stoves, reflecting the needs
of this chilly mountain town where the giant Mount Hermon (snow-covered six months of the year) looms
overhead.
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On the Way...
... to Rashaya from Chtaura try to take the route through the hilltop
town of Sultan Yaqub, where there are spectacular views of the valley below.
Turn right at Marj and continue through Khiara toward Sultan
Yaqub. This town,
visible for miles around in every direction, also makes a good landmark.
The Souks of Rashaya were recently restored by the Ministry of Tourism. Here, a dozen artisans are busy in their workshops creating jewelry of particular
charm.
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Getting There ...
From Chtaura drive along the Beirut-Damascus road toward the Syrian
border. Just before the border post, turn left and continue for 8km
until you reach Yanta where you will have to turn left. 2km
later take the left fork and continue for
half a kilometer, then make a sharp right turn, proceeding for 15km. (See
Beqaa Map)
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