Mount Lebanon: Forests, Cultural Heritage and Village Traditions

Forest and Water in El-Werhaniyeh

El-Werhaniyeh offers tangible points of interest for nature lovers. Forests cover 35 percent of the village’s area. They include hundreds of centuries-old oak trees, some of which are more than 200 years old, as well as mulberry trees, hawthorns, pines and other tree species. Water also shapes the description of the area: El-Werhaniyeh has abundant water resources and freshwater springs. One part of the village is called El-Ayoun, “The Eyes,” because of its many springs.

The Werhaniyeh-Freidis-Barouk Forest Trail starts in El-Werhaniyeh and is used by hikers and nature lovers. The Shabrouh Dam also provides a tangible sense of scale for exploring Mount Lebanon: it is located in the Mount Lebanon Governorate and holds eight million cubic meters of water.

Architecture and Historical Sites

Beiteddine Palace is considered an outstanding example of the architectural revival of the 19th century in Mount Lebanon. Traditional Lebanese architecture is preserved in El-Werhaniyeh, which is also home to the Assaf Museum, officially recognized as a national museum. These different examples offer culture enthusiasts a range of themes: palace architecture, preserved village architecture and a museum.

Maasser Beit el-Din, also known as Ain El-Maasser, is known for attractions such as a historic 19th-century silk factory. Ancient olive presses are located on Ram Hill. Together with Beiteddine Palace and the architecture of El-Werhaniyeh, these places showcase different aspects of building and local history without reducing them to a single theme.

Churches and Annual Festivals

The Feast of Saint Elias, the village’s patron saint, is celebrated annually in Maasser Beit el-Din. It includes a festive Mass in the village church, a communal dinner and an exhibition. In Majdel Maoush, the Church of Our Lady was built in 1609 by Patriarch Jean Makhlouf; the old Church of Saint George was built by Patriarch Douaihy. The Feast of the Assumption is also celebrated annually in Majdel Maoush with a festive Mass and an arts festival.

The Apple-Day Festival takes place every year in Barouk-Freidis in late September. If you plan your trip around one of these festivals, confirm the dates for the relevant year in advance.

In the Wider Destination of Lebanon

The wider destination of Lebanon has four main geographic regions, running from west to east: the coastal plain, the Mount Lebanon range, the Bekaa Valley and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains. They differ in topography and climate. The walled old city of Byblos is another example of Lebanon’s cultural heritage. It features medieval walls, a cathedral, a castle and a keep, and was later transformed into an Ottoman-style town with souks, khans, a mosque and houses.

Choose a Vacation Rental Based on Your Interests

When searching for a vacation rental in Mount Lebanon, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: forests and springs, architectural history or annual village traditions. Use the place names that match your interests as a starting point for your search. If you want a festival to determine your travel dates, check the dates for the relevant year.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: El Metn, Jbeil, Deir Chamra, Zouk Mosbeh, Mechane, Chbaniye, Mazraat Kfardibiane, Harissa, Jbeil, Dbaiye, Bikfaya, Nakkashe, Fatqa, Zouk Mikael.

Go to the main travel overview: Lebanon.