18 Facts You Should Know About Bcharre, Lebanon
Bcharre, also written as Bsharri , is a district located in the North Governorate with 26 towns and villages. Its picturesque mountainous landscape makes it a dream for photographers and tourists.
Here are some things you should know about this majestic place:
#1 Qadisha Valley
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Bcharre is at the heart of the sacred Qadisha Valley, also called the Valley of The Saints . The magnificent valley was carved by a river known as the Qadisha River or Nahr Abu Ali. The term Qadisha, or Kadisha, means holy , which brings us to our next fact.
#2 Historic Christian presence
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Bcharre's Qadisha Valley is home to some of the most ancient Christian monastic communities and settlements in the Middle East . It is one of the most valuable historical and religious sites in Lebanon.
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#3 Gibran Khalil Gibran
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Bcharre is the birthplace of the famous American-Lebanese poet, writer, philosopher, Gibran Khalil Gibran .
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There is even a museum in Bcharre in tribute to the great poet. His book, The Prophet , is one of the world's best-selling books of all time.
#4 It is home to the historic Cedars of God
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Bcharre is home to some of the oldest forests of the Lebanese Cedars of God . The centuries-old cedars still stand today, albeit reduced in number.
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Both the Qadisha Valley and the forest of the Cedars of God were marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
#5 Qadisha Grotto
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The 778-meter-long Qadisha Grotto dates back millions of years and is reportedly the oldest grotto in Lebanon, first discovered in 1903.
#6 It looks nearly unchanged in decades
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This picture of the town of Bcharre taken nearly 70 years ago looks almost identical to what it looks like today.
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With the exception of some added buildings, the town looks well preserved for decades.
#7 Camping
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There are various campgrounds to set up tents and spend a good time outdoors in gorgeous Arz Bcharre.