Jezzine, Lebanon

Jezzine (Jezzine), 22 km from Saidon (Saida, 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 Jezzine the most important town in the area.

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.

After Fakhreddine the Great was forced to abandon the impregnable cave castle of Shaqif Tiron Niha because of the poisoning of its underground water supply, in 1635, the Prince made his way over dangerous mountain paths along the Cliffside, in the dead of the night, to the foot of the famous waterfall of Jezzine, some 6 kilometers to the south..

Here a local guide was procured to conduct the small party of faithful retainers, who did not abandon the great prince in the days of his adversity, up an even more difficult path that led north along the face of the cliff to the fateful grotto where the sovereign's father, the Emir Qurqumaz ibn Fakhreddine, had met his unhappy end, also hunted by the Turks, in the late 16th Century.

At the end of this path, no less difficult and dangerous today than it was three centuries ago, is a narrow ledge overgrown with brambles and infested with serpents, who emerged from the entrance of the gloomy cavern to sun themselves amid the limestone crevices.

Jezzine in History

Jezzine 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 Jezzine' economy.
 

Jezzine Restaurants

Jezzine restaurants tradition began over a hundred years ago with a few simple riverside cafes.

Here you can enjoy the traditional Lebanese mezze as it is served nowhere else. To add to the sense of timelessness, delicious mountain bread is baked before your eyes and a man in baggy trousers and fez is on hand to pour Lebanese coffee. He can also provide diners with a hubble-bubble (water pipe).
 

Jezzine Neighborhood

Most villages of the Jezzine 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 Jezzine lies Bkassin, a lovely quiet village. From there, continue to Binwati, 7 km from Jezzine , 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 Jezzine -Saidon 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 Lebaa (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 Jezzine 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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