(Hermitage of St. Charbel - 54 km from Beirut)

Annaya claims a name for itself due to Saint Charbel who lived and died in its Hermitage. The St. Maroon Monastery also has a wide attraction, where a small, vaulted-ceiling stone church is open to visitors and a souvenir shop sells religious objects, books and pictures. Leaving the monastery, a road to the left leads up to the Hermitage. Approached by a long set of wide stone stairs, this mountain top location affords a magnificent view. Inside the old building are various hermit's cells, including the room where Charbel died. A small square church is part of the hermitage.

Annaya attracts a steady stream of visitors so the area has a good selection of restaurants and snack shops. Both the monastery and the hermitage have restroom facilities. Sleeping quarters for overnight guests at the monastery are available at a modest fee.
 

On the Way . . .

Two kilometers before Annaya is Torzaya, known for its interesting cave. The cave entrances are in an idyllic valley below the Church of St. Theresa, about two kilometers downhill from the mosque in the center of town. Another half kilometer downhill from the church brings you to the bridge and from here a footpath leads to a cave with many chambers and fantastic stone shapes which can be explored on foot.

In winter and spring, when the cave is a channel for the rushing River Ibrahim, the water flows from beneath a natural arch out into a verdant river valley. In summer you can explore the cave on foot with the help of a flashlight. This little valley is a beautiful spot for a picnic. A walk around the area might also turn up antique remnants such as cave burial chambers, or elements from a Roman temple, which probably once stood here.
 

Getting There ...
From Byblos (Jbeil), take the road heading east and follow the road signs until you reach Annaya, some 16km away. (See Mount Lebanon Map)
 

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