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Birthplace of Gibran

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HobWahid
HobWahid
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4 out of 5
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Bcharré: Birthplace of Gibran

  • February 3, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by HobWahid from Damascus, Syria
Bcharré: Birthplace of Gibran

Bcharré is easily the most beautiful town in all of Lebanon, and that is saying a lot. Set high up in the Lebanon mountains, the town is cool and green in summer and covered serenely in snow during winter. This Maronite town, sandwiched between the slopes of the mountain towering above and the cliffs of the Qadisha Valley below, provides some of the most dramatic views in the whole country and is the perfect place to stop on the way from Tripoli to Baalbek, except in the winter, when the road over the mountain is covered by 2m of snow.

Bcharré is most famously known as the birthplace of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the author, poet, and painter who penned such masterpieces as The Prophet. Although the author left the town at an early age, he returned later to build a house for himself to retire in. After his death, this house was turned into the Khalil Gibran Museum, a beautifully set up museum dedicated to the author. If you know nothing about Gibran, the museum will certainly peak your interest, and if you have read a few of his works, the museum will surprise you with the number of fabulous paintings on display. Most people know Gibran only for his writing, but he was actually quite the painter, admired by such people as Rodin, and the museum in Bcharré is the best place to see his work showcased. On a slightly more macabre note, you can also see the author’s tomb in the basement of the museum.

While the Gibran Museum is the best sight inside the town itself, there are still a few things outside of town worth a look, and one of these is the Cedar Reserve located a few kilometers up the mountain. The famous Cedars of Lebanon, once so plentiful, are now in serious danger and only exist in a few reserves around the country. The one near Bcharré is one of the most accessible and hosts a few hundred of the impressive trees. Just north of the Cedar Reserve also lies the Cedars Ski Area, the oldest ski area in Lebanon and the one with the most challenging terrain. It is not quite as developed as other areas in Lebanon, but it will be thrill enough for ski buffs.

If you come to Bcharré in any season but winter, you absolutely must have to take the road over the mountains towards Baalbeck. The road climbs the mountain at almost 3,000m and then winds its way down into the Bekaa Velley, providing you with absolutely stunning views.

From journal Lebanon: Playground of the Middle East

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