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 Business
& Community
Services
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(Summer
Resort 25 km)
Summer
visitors come to Bikfaya for its healthy climate and many
springs, notably the one at An-Naas, long famed for its
curative powers. Bikfaya is also a good place to look for the
pleasant spring side restaurants so prized by Lebanese. In
late summer an annual festival of flowers and agriculture
takes place here as well.
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A very old town, among its monuments is the
Church of Mar Abda, built in 1587. Other important buildings
were added in the 19th century, a time of prosperity under the
Abillama Emirs. These include the residence of the Jesuit
fathers, begun in 1833, and the Church of Saydet An-Najat (Our
lady of Deliverance). The church is interesting for its
imported reproduction of a 17th century Italian statue of the
Virgin.
Bikfaya's early 19th century serail, which
originally belonged to the Abillama Emirs, became residence
during the 1980's. The Gemayel house, built in the traditional
Lebanese style, was begun in the 16th century and added onto
over the next 200 years.
On a high hill above Bikfaya is Deir Mar
Elias Chwayya, a complex of two monasteries, one Maronite and
one Greek Orthodox. The beautiful little church, built in
1590, has an 18th century Romanian altar screen. Ask to see
the recently discovered 8th century stone chapel beneath the
monastery. A very old town, among its
monuments is the Church of Mar Abda, built in 1587. Other
important buildings were added in the 19th century, a time of
prosperity under the Abillama Emirs. These include the
residence of the Jesuit fathers, begun in 1833, and the Church
of Saydet An-Najat (Our lady of Deliverance). The church is
interesting for its imported reproduction of a 17th century
Italian statue of the Virgin.
Bikfaya's early 19th century serail, which
originally belonged to the Abillama Emirs, became residence
during the 1980's. The Gemayel house, built in the traditional
Lebanese style, was begun in the 16th century and added onto
over the next 200 years.
On a high hill above Bikfaya is Deir Mar
Elias Chwayya, a complex of two monasteries, one Maronite and
one Greek Orthodox. The beautiful little church, built in
1590, has an 18th century Romanian altar screen. Ask to see
the recently discovered 8th century stone chapel beneath the
monastery. |
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