Jezzîne combines a waterfall around 74 metres high with a local history reflected in a former spring and several churches. The Souk El Sedd adds regional crafts to the picture. Landscape, religious buildings and crafts thus come together as distinct themes, with the waterfall serving as a clear focal point in the landscape.
Waterfall and Views
The Jezzîne Waterfall is considered the highest waterfall in Lebanon. It lies 904 metres above sea level and is considered the fifth-highest waterfall in the world and the highest in the Middle East. These figures refer to different things: around 74 metres is the waterfall’s height, while 904 metres is its elevation above sea level.
At the western entrance to Jezzîne, a road branches downhill beside the statue of the Virgin Mary, known as Lady of Maabour, offering a view of the waterfall. A short walk leads to the foot of the waterfall. The view from the road and the path to the foot offer two different vantage points to consider when planning your visit. Check local conditions on the road before visiting.
The Spring’s History and Churches
The Jezzine Source was once a historic meeting place in the town of Jezzine. It supplied water to houses and powered a water mill that was later converted into a church. The spring’s two former roles come together in this history: supplying homes and serving as a gathering place. The mill’s later transformation is also part of the local story.
Saint Maroun Church stands on the outskirts of the town. It was destroyed in the 1759 earthquake and rebuilt on the ruins; a larger church was built in 1868. The Melkite Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of Assumption was built in Jezzîne in 1796. The comparison brings together Saint Maroun’s history of rebuilding and the specific construction date and denomination of Our Lady of Assumption.
Traditional Cutlery at Souk El Sedd
Souk El Sedd is in the heart of Jezzîne. It is known as a market with craft shops selling traditional cutlery from the region. This craft offers a different cultural focus from the churches: here, regional cutlery takes centre stage, while the churches highlight the history and architecture of religious buildings. The souk thus adds a distinct perspective on regional crafts to the waterfall and church themes.
When looking for a hotel in Jezzîne, you can use these themes to guide your trip planning: would you like to focus on the waterfall, its viewpoint and the short walk, or are you more interested in the spring’s history, churches and crafts? This helps you shape your stay around your own interests.
Cultural Heritage in the South Lebanon Governorate
The cultural heritage of the South Lebanon Governorate also includes the World Heritage Site of Tyre. It consists of two separate areas: the site on the promontory of the present-day city and the El Bass necropolis on the mainland. The city site includes the remains of Roman baths, two palaestras, an arena, a Roman colonnaded street and a residential quarter. It also includes the remains of a cathedral built by the Venetians in 1127, as well as sections of the walls of an old Crusader castle.
The Tyre El Bass area includes the remains of a necropolis and a wide monumental avenue, dominated by a Roman triumphal arch dating from the 2nd century AD. The two separate areas have different archaeological highlights: buildings and remains in the city, and the necropolis and monumental avenue at El Bass.
Discover more destinations: Chtaura, Aley, Ḑahr Al Ḩarf, Dahr Broummana, Beirut, Jiyeh, Kafrā, Beit Al Dine
For the main travel overview: Lebanon.
