Private Tour - Qadisha Valley, Becharre, Jubran Museum & Cedars of God - Day Tour from Beirut

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Qadisha Valley, 6 Km From Becharre, Bcharre Lebanon

Kadisha Valley is a gorge that lies within the Becharre and Zgharta Districts of the North Governorate of Lebanon. The valley was carved by the Kadisha River, also known as the Nahr Abu Ali when it reaches Tripoli. The valley sometimes called the Holy Valley has sheltered Christian monastic communities for many centuries. The valley is located at the foot of Mount al-Makmal in northern Lebanon.

Stop At: The Cedars of God, Bcharre Lebanon

The Cedars of God are located in Bsharri, are one of the last vestiges of the extensive forests of the Lebanon cedar that once thrived across Mount Lebanon in ancient times. Their timber was used by the Phoenicians, Israelites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, and Turks. The wood was prized by Egyptians for shipbuilding; the Ottoman Empire used the cedars in railway construction.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gibran Museum, Bcharre Lebanon

The Gibran Museum, formerly the Monastery of Mar Sarkis, is a biographical museum in Bsharri, Lebanon, 120 kilometres (75 mi) from Beirut. It is dedicated to the Lebanese writer, philosopher, and artist Kahlil Gibran.

Founded in 1935, the Gibran Museum possesses 440 original paintings and drawings of Gibran and his tomb. It also includes his furniture and belongings from his studio when he lived in New York City and his private manuscripts.

The building which houses the museum and his tomb were bought by his sister in 1931 under Gibran's request, having spiritual significance as a monastery dating back to the 7th century when it was the Mar Sarkis (Saint Serge) hermitage.

In 1975, the Gibran National Committee restored and expanded the monastery to house more exhibits and again expanded it in 1995

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Deir Qozhaya, Qadisha Valley, Bcharre Lebanon

By the end of the 17th century, Carmelite monks living in the Qadisha valley, the sacred valley, began construction of a new monastery, which was completed in 1862.

Qozhaya is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries of the valley of Qadisha. Several hermitages are attached to it and at a certain period (probably the 12th Century AD), it has been the See of the Maronite Patriarch. In 1584, the first printing press of the Middle East was installed in this monastery.

In 1708, it was handed down to the newly formed Lebanese Maronite Order. It still belongs to this important Order. Qozhaya was at its pinnacle in the first part of the 19th Century with more than 300 monks belonging to it.

With its large properties in the valley, Qozhaya is one of the richest monasteries of the Order. It contributes financially to the maintenance of the less fortunate monasteries of the Order.


Duration: 1 hour