Baldati-Ehden

Geography

Ehden (اٍهدن in Arabic) is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peak in Lebanon. Its occupants are primarily the people of Zgharta as it is part of the Zgharta District.
The mountain town is located 1500m above sea level, and is 25 km from Zgharta, 110 km from Beirut (the country’s capital) and 30 km from Tripoli, Lebanon.
Ehden is a famous summer resort and touristic center often called "the Bride of Summer Resorts in the North of Lebanon" .
Gastronomy is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Ehden, especially in summer. Kebbeh Meshwyeh (krass), a traditional cuisine, is particularly notable in this town.
You could reach Ehden travelling from Beirut through Tripoli, Zgharta, Arjes then Ehden, or from Beirut through Seika, Al-Koura, Seraal, then Ehden, or from Beirut through Baalbak, Al-Arz-Becharri, Kfersghab, then Ehden. The road from Zgharta to Ehden is considered as one of the most beautiful mountainous roads.....

History:

The origins of its name are obscured by time and myth; one explanation is that it is derived from the biblical Eden. Mankind has lived in the area for thousands of years. Some early texts mention that those living in the area Ehden came from the descendants of the tribe of Samuel, the son of Noah. From its pagan past it became the cradle of Christianity in Lebanon. The many churches of Ehden are a living testament to the history of the people of the area and their faith since the early beginning of Christianity. Mar (Saint) Mama’s Church is the oldest Maronite church in Lebanon built in 749 AD on the site of a pagan temple. Ehden has throughout its history contributed to the religious, political and culture life of Lebanon. It has produced religious leaders, academicians, nationalist leaders, artists and presidents. Among them are Patriarch Youhanna Makhlouf 1608-1633) Maronite Patriarch; Patriarch George Oumayra, (1633-1644), Maronite Patriarch, called the “Light of the Oriental” being an expert on Orient languages; Gibrael Al Sahyouni (1577 –1648), academic, author of a polyglot bible, official translator to King Louis XIII of France, his statue stands in Ehden; Patriarch Stephane Doueihi (1630-1704), maronite patriarch and considered to be the “father of Maronite history”; Germanos Farhat (1670 – 1732), author of a influential book on Arabic grammar; Youssef Bey Karam (1823 – 1889), Lebanese nationalist, his body lies in St George’s Church, and his statue nearby is a landmark of Ehden; Saliba Doueihi (1909-1994) world renown artist; President Sleiman Kabalan Frangieh (1910- 1992), President of Lebanon; President Rene Mouawad (1925-1989), President of Lebanon.

Population

Zgharta is a relatively newer city, which was inhabited by Ehdenians in 1519 for the purpose of spending winter periods, with 150-meters elevation from sea level.Zgharta is the constituency for al-Zawiya, which includes coastal and mountainous areas, but do not stretch to the sea. As a result of that fact, a close relation was developed by both coastal and mountainous residence due to constant seasonal travelling by residence of the mountain toward the coast in order to escape the harsh icy winter.

That trend became a way of life where most Ehdenians are spending winter periods on the coast. A small minority of Ehdenians who were 60 years and over preferred to spend all seasons in their mountain homes. Some tourists, shop owners and restaurateurs also spent their weekends in the mountains.

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