Villages
and Summer Resorts of the Jezzin Area
Jezzin
(22 km from Sidon) is the most famous summer and touristic
resort of South Lebanon because of its beautiful landscape and
its 40m high waterfalls. Vital
public facilities contributed in making Jezzin the most
important town in the area. To
get there, follow the Sidon - Hlayliyye - Majdelyun - Salhiyye
- Lebea - Rum - Homsiye road.
The town is located on the slopes of Tumat
Niha and is surrounded with pine forests, vineyards and
orchards. From the top
of the huge rocky promontory known as al Shir, the visitor
enjoys a breathtaking view of the surrounding localities
scattered in the midst of a fertile plain and protected by
mountains.
In the valley is a natural cave known as
the Fakhreddine Cave because the Lebanese Emir took refuge
there to escape Ottoman persecution.
While his father Qurqumaz hid and died in this cave,
Fakhreddine was caught and taken to Istanbul. |
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Inside Farid
Serhal Palace
A Hotel in Jezzin
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Jezzin is a historical town, where ancient sarcophagi and
Crusader remains were found. To
this remote past also belongs a ruined old mosque.
The most famous historical monuments are, however, more
recent:
-The Saint Antoine Convent,
belonging to the Antoine order (1774)
-The Serail (1898)
-The Farid Serhal Palace,
a monumental building in the oriental style where an
impressive collection of valuable antiquities is found.
Jezzin
is the center of the Caza, where several public
administrations, banks, hotels, restaurants and amusement
centers are found. The
town is famous for its traditional cutlery and daggers.
The tourist can also visit the fish farming
installations, which are important to Jezzin’s economy.
Most
villages of the Jezzin area are summer resorts.
Located at an average altitude of 950m, nature endowed
them with beautiful pine forests and fruit tree orchards.Five
kilometers from Jezzin lies Bkassin, a lovely quiet
village. From there,
continue to Banawati, 7 km from Jezzin, where two old
domed Moslem shrines stand on a hill.
The larger one, known as Nabi Misha is
notable for its fine stone work.
The smaller shrine is called “nabbiyye,” the female
form of the word “nabi,” or prophet.
In the village of Mashmushe, which was the first
seat of the Maronite bishopric in the area, you can visit the
beautiful 18th century monastery.
On
the main Jezzin-Sidon road are the villages of Homsiye
and Rum. The
latter is surrounded by vineyards, pine forests and orchards.
Three kilometers west of Rum lies Anan, an old
Byzantine settlement, famous for its artificial lake, fed by
the Litani river through a 16 km long tunnel.
West of Anan is a small Crusader fort, known as Abi
al Hasan Citadel located on an 80m high promontory.
Continue in the direction of Sidon to the villages of Leba
(22 km) and Kafr Jarra (23 km) where second millennium
rock-cut tombs have been excavated.
One of these is located near the rear wall of a small
house near the village entrance.
It is in the vicinity of the old church.
Near Kafr Jarra is the Church of Saint John the
Baptist, one of the oldest churches in the area.
It was built in the 16th century and
restored for the first time in 1755 as seen by the inscription
above its main entrance. This
church was partly destroyed by the Israeli bombardment and the
Lebanese Directorate of Antiquities is presently restoring it.
The
area south of Jezzin enjoys beautiful scenery.
In the midst of pine forests and orchards lie the
village of Kfarhuna, Aramta, Rihan, Ayshie
and al-Jarmak. West
of Aramta are the villages of Mallikh, Lwayze
and Jernaya.
All
these localities are important summer resorts because of their
beautiful natural environment and their healthy climate. |
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Jezzin Cutlery
Details in Farid Sehal Palace
Details in Farid Sehal Palace
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