One of the country’s most beautiful districts with mountain peaks and pine forests, stunning natural beauty and rich agricultural diversity. Come discover the beauty of its nature, its religious treasures, one-of-a-kind waterfall, mouthwatering fruits and local products. Mingle with the locals, experienced with stories of the region, pride of the land, and love for their home.
The Ancient Times
Jezzine dates back to the ancient times whenit was rst mentioned in Joshua (13:4): “On the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;” - Mearah was used to mean a “cave” according to the Holy Bible. The region of Jezzine was then mentioned in the trips of Al-Idrisi, Luke Henri Lammens, Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope, and Father Godard.
Ancient statues, caches, and valuable sarcophagi show that Jezzine was an impeccable destination for ancient Sidon and many of its treasures. This ongoing belief is supported by the names of its villages with Canaanites and Syriac origin.
The above strongly confirms the region’s high importance since ancient times.
The Jezzine Region is a natural pathway that allowed Sidonian merchants to travel towards Damascus. It was a link between the Chouf and the Khan Market in Wadi Al-Taym, and between Jabal Amel and Bekaa. Unfortunately, this made the region a center of conflict between these other regions.
The Middle Ages
For quite some time, the Jezzine Region remained Pagan until about the third century AD. The area was then converted to Christianity and populated by a majority of Christians.
During the seventh century, the Arabs entered Jezzine, followed by the Crusaders in
the twelfth century. Their presence hadled to some con icts which caused theirexpulsion by the Mamluks in the thirteenth century. During this period, the Shiites resorted back to Jezzine, and ImamMuhammad bin Makki became the first martyr to be killed by the Mamluks.
During his days, the jurisprudential school of Jezzine emerged, and closed after the death of its founder.
In the early seventeenth century, the Jezzine Region had become a destination for families who began arriving from many diverse areas. The land was revived, had become fertile, and gave its residents the ability to pay taxes. It was then linked by the Maans and later the Chehabs to Mount Lebanon, which was under control of the mandates of Damascus, and later Sidon.
