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(Druze Shrine and a Rock-Cut Castle
- 65 km from Beirut)
The reputed tomb of Job or Nabi Yacoub/Ayoub, located east of Niha Shouf, has been enshrined in a modern building overlooking a panoramic view. Especially interesting are the hillsides, where strata have been twisted in some distant geological upheaval.
Among the many caves in this area, both natural and man-made, is Shakif Tiron or Qal'at
Niha. This is a cave fortress of interlinking chambers cut into the top of a cliff. Occupied by the Crusaders from 1165 to 1260, tradition says it is the hiding place of Fakhreddine II who fled the Turks in 1635. In fact, it was probably his father, Emir
Korkmaz, who took refuge here in 1584. In Niha village look for the old church of Mar Yousef (Saint Joseph) as well as a fountain known as
"Ain al-Qat'ah." Both are listed as Historic Monuments.
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Getting There ...
From Beirut drive
south past Damour. Turn right at the Beiteddine road, heading east,
passing through Deir El Qamar, Beiteddine, Moukhtara, Aamatour, Bater
and then Niha.
(See
Mount Lebanon Map)
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