Vadi Qadisha

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The Wadi Qadisha ( ) is a valley in the Lebanon mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. It is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes of Lebanon.

Geography

Wadi Qadisha is located at the foot of Mount Al-Makmal in northern Lebanon. It was formed by the Qadisha River, which springs from a cave just below the “Cedar of the Lord” tree group. The total length of the valley is 35 km.

History

The Wadi Qadisha was settled very early.
The valley is known alongside the beautiful nature for its numerous monasteries. Because the wadi is relatively secluded, it has been used for centuries as a retreat for believing Christians who have often suffered persecution. In 1998 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its long Christian tradition. The most important place in the valley is Bischarri.

Monasteries of Wadi Qadisha

Qannubine Monastery

The Qannubin Monastery is considered the most important in Wadi Qadisha. It is located in the northeast of the valley and is the oldest Maronite monastery. The word Qanubin comes from the Greek word Kenobion, which means monastery. According to legend, the complex was founded by a student of the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I (347–395). From the 15th to the 19th century, the monastery was the seat of the Maronite patriarch of the Qadisha Valley. The monk cells, accommodation for travelers and the church were beaten in the rock. The latter is frescoed from the 18th century. Decorated century.

Quzhaya Monastery
Antonius Monastery Quzhaya Monastery is opposite the Qanubink Monastery. It is one of the largest monasteries in the valley and was probably founded in the 4th century. According to legend, this was done by St. Hilary, who built the monastery in honor of the Egyptian saint St. Anthony the Great. However, the oldest testimonies are from the 12th century.
The most important rooms are a meeting room and a chapel. Meanwhile, an ethnographic museum is housed in the premises. Among other things, a printing press from 1871 is exhibited. Near the monastery there is a mill and hermitage caves. These were used by religious hermits who had retreated into solitude to serve God.

Monastery of Sayyidat Hawqa
Sayyidat Hawqa Monastery (to Our Lady of Hawqa) was founded in the 13th century. It is located at altitude on a rocky plateau between the Quzhaya and Qannubin monasteries. The monastery was partially built into a 47 m deep, already existing cave above the plateau. This part can only be reached via a ladder. Archaeological traces from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages were found in the cave. Inside the chapel itself is a Christian inscription in Arabic characters from 1193.

Monastery of Mar Sarkis
The Mar Sarkis Monastery is located at 1500 m above the village of Ehden. It also becomes “the watchful eye of Qadisha”