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 Business
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(Roman Temple
48 km)
From Chtaura drive in the direction of the
border post with Syria, (Masnaa), but turn right toward
Rashaya just before the post. Continue through the villages of
Dahr El-Ahmar and Labia to Ain Harsha village whose
high-walled terraces wind their way around the curves of the
hillsides.
From here you have to walk. The rocky,
exposed path (steep at first but leveling off) from the top of
the village leads to the temple through a wildly beautiful
landscape. On the walk, which takes about forty minutes,
farmers and shepherds will greet you on your way and willingly
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directions
and colorful renditions of the history of the temple. The
temple can also be reached by walking down from the higher
village of Ain Ata.
One of the best preserved temples on Mount
Hermon, Ain Harsha is built of local limestone and blends in
so well that it is virtually camouflaged among the rocky crags
and boulders. A large stone (broken in two) in front of the
temple, carries an inscription in Greek that dates it ti
114-115 AD. The temple was restored in 1938-39 and the west
wall-the side you see as you approach-is so perfect it is
easily mistaken for modern. Around the temple are more
remnants of ancient habitation, including sarcophagi. |
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