Bcharre: Cedars, Qadisha and History

The attractions around Bcharre range from a high-altitude cedar landscape to the history of the Mar Sarkis Hermitage. The Forest of the Cedars of God and the hermitage offer different points of interest: nature and historical development.

Cedar Forest and Qadisha Valley

Near Bcharre, the Forest of the Cedars of God lies on Mount Makmel, east of the village of Bcharré, at an altitude of 1,900 to 2,050 metres. The forest is connected to the Qadisha Valley through historical links and geographical continuity. It is also one of the rare places where Cedrus lebani still grows, and is considered the last remnant of ancient forests. This landscape brings together its high elevation, a rare tree species and a long history of woodland.

When deciding which nature-related themes to focus on during your trip, you can explore the cedar forest from different angles: its location on Mount Makmel, the cedar trees that still grow there, or its connection to the Qadisha Valley. These features give the area around Bcharre more character than a simple place name and can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Another special feature nearby is the Quadisha Grotto. The cave is close to the cedar forest, overlooks the Qadisha Valley and runs through the river that bears its name. Its relationship to the landscape therefore differs from that of the forest: the grotto is defined by the cave, river and its position above the valley, while the forest is defined by its cedars and historical connection to the valley. This gives you two distinct nature-related themes to consider when choosing where to visit, depending on your interests.

History of the Mar Sarkis Hermitage

The Mar Sarkis Hermitage in Bcharre was originally a grotto where monks sought shelter in the 7th century. It later became the tomb of Gibran Khalil Gibran and was subsequently converted into his museum. Its history runs from a place of refuge to a tomb and then a museum. This adds a specific historical story to your travel plans alongside the natural attractions, distinct from the landscape of Mount Makmel.

A regional perspective on North Lebanon

In the broader travel destination of North Lebanon, Tripoli offers its own historical and culinary highlights. Significant historical attractions in Tripoli include the Madrasa al-Burtasiyya, Khan al-Khayyatin, Hammam al-Jadid, the Mawlawi Tekke and Souq Haraj. Tripoli is also known for food production, particularly sweets. Festivals take place there annually between August and September. If you would like to include a festival in your travel plans, check the specific event dates in advance.

These differences can help guide your choice of holiday rental: the themes described here place Bcharre’s cedar landscape, Qadisha and Mar Sarkis in the foreground, while Tripoli offers a different focus, with historical attractions, sweet-making and festivals. First consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay, then base your search for the right location on your choice.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Miziara, Tripoli, Mina.

Go to the main travel overview: North Lebanon.