Wadi Qadisha, which means Holy Valley, is a gorge that lies within the Bcharre and Zgharta districts in Northern Lebanon.
It’s one of the most breathtaking sites in Lebanon.
This valley is where nature, history, culture, and religion merge in harmony.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Holy Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the ruins in Anjar, the Temple of Bacchus, Byblos, and Tyre.
The valley has housed Christian monastic communities for many centuries
It’s now a destination where people seek peace, where pilgrims pray, and where some of the oldest monasteries in Lebanon can be visited.
Home to Early Christian communities
The Maronites were the dominant Christian group in the valley where they found shelter from religious prosecution.
Historians believe that monastic communities and Sufis visited the valley in search of meditation and solitude.
The Holy Valley is the home of the 83-year-old Maronite monk from Colombia. Father Dario Escobar has been living in Our Lady of Hawqa Monastery for over 17 years.
The sanctuary receives a lot of visitors who are curious to meet the hermit that came all the way from Colombia. They also come to light candles, pray, and ask for the blessing of Father Escobar.
It is home to the numerous monasteries: Qannoubine, Saint Anthony of Qozhaya, Our Lady of Hawqa, Mar Sarkis, Mar Elisha, Mar Gerges, Mar Aboun, and Mar Youhanna.
The Monastery of Saint Anthony of Qozhaya was built in 1000 A.D. It was destroyed in the 16th century, but it was quickly restored.
A highline festival took place in Qadisha Valley. People from 22 different countries highlined over the breathtaking gorge!
The slacklines were between 20 meters and 240 meters long and in height from 12 to 100 meters.
