Zahle
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- This article is about a town in Lebanon. You may also be looking for Carl Theodor Zahle, a Danish politician.
The city center spreads along both banks of the Bardouni River, with the older section of town on the upper elevations of the west bank and the shopping district on the east bank.
At the northern end of town is the Bardouni river valley known as Wadi el-Aarayesh (Grape Vine Valley) – the site of Zahle's famous outdoor restaurants. Zahle styles itself "The City of Wine and Poetry", and with good reason. In this century alone some fifty poets and writers were born here and almost as many excellent wines and araks have been produced in the area.
The romance of wine and poetry is balanced by Zahle's more businesslike position as the administrative and commercial capital of the Beqaa valley (42.27% of Lebanon's territory) as well as its rank as the country's third largest city with a population of 150,000.
Zahle is also an agricultural town which produces vegetables, fruit, grains and most importantly, grapes.
Tucked away from Lebanon's busy coastal centers, the people of Zahle have developed their own brand of individualism and way of doing things. Even their spoken Arabic has a particular flair. The city's reputation for intellectual vigor comes from a long line of writers, thinkers and poets who have contributed to Lebanon's cultural and political scene.
History of Zahle
Zahle was founded about 300 years ago by Toufic Saliba in an area whose past reaches back some five millennia. At that time, the Maronite Christians were beginning to expand into the region, having abandoned their original homes in northern Syria. In the early 18th century the new town was divided into three separate quarters, each of which had its own governor.
The city enjoyed a brief period as the region's first independent state in the 19th century when it had its own flag and anthem.
Zahle was burned in 1777 and 1791, and it was again burned and plundered in 1860.
However, during the rule of the Mutasarrifiah, Zahle began to regain its prosperity. The railroad line which came through in 1885 improved commerce and the town became the internal "port" of the Beqaa and Syria. It was also the center of agriculture and trade between Beirut and Damascus, Mosul and Baghdad. Considered the birthplace of the Lebanese army as well as some of the most vicious sectarians, Zahle has played a major role in the political life of the country.
The city
The Souk al-Blatt
The Souk al-Blatt, or "tiled market," is a market street leading to one of the oldest parts of the city. A large part of Zahle's history was written in this souk, where in former times travelers to and from other parts of Syria, Baghdad and Palestine bought and sold their goods. A project is planned to restore the street and make it a center for crafts and other traditional activities.Housh El-Zarani
Housh El-Zarani is located near the post office on the east side of the river. In past centuries this housh, or market area, was a conglomerate of khans (caravansaries), craft center and shops. Here shoemakers, woodworkers weavers, copper workers and saddle makers plied their trades It was also an important commercial center where vendors sold agricultural and industrial products.
Many of the old buildings, embellished by carved ceilings, vaulted interiors and decorated façades, still stand. Today these structures are somewhat obscured by modern shopfronts, but projects are afoot to restore the area. In the meantime you can still discover a taste of old Zahlé here.
Tell Shiha Hospital
The landmark Tell Shiha Hospital, with its red tile roof, was opened in 1948. Located on a high hill of the same name, this site is a good spot for photographs.
Historical buildings
A good example of Zahle's local architecture is the restored Geha House in the old part of town. Although this is a private home, one can easily appreciate its courtyard, garden and arched upper galleries – all typical of 17th century architecture.
An old underground tunnel 1,400 meters long leads from the house to the church of St. Elias (Al-Tuwak). Built by Sheikh Khalil Geha in the early 17th century, today the seventh generation of the Geha family resides in this 24-room dwelling.
Other private residences in the same area are the lovely al-Hindi, Youssef Azar and Wadih Skaf houses. These are several hundred years old and also designed with arcades and walled gardens.
The restored Serail or government house in the old part of town dates from 1885. This beautiful building, whose architecture reflects the European and Arab influences of the Ottoman period, will soon house the offices of the municipality and a museum illustrating Zahlé's history.
At the start of the 20th century Zahle began building hotels to serve its budding tourist and summer resort trade. Although the "Sohat" ("health") Hotel built in 1878 has been demolished, three establishments from this era can still be seen: the Hotel America, the Hotel Akl and the Hotel Kadri, which is currently undergoing restoration.
The Kadri, built in 1906, has seen its share of history. The hotel was taken over by the Turkish army in 1914 and used as headquarters and a hospital during World War I.
It was from the Kadri as well that in 1920 the French Mandate authorities announced annexation of the judiciary areas which would give "Greater Lebanon" its present-day borders.
Historical churches
Sayedit Zalzaly
Sayedit Zalzaly is Zahlé's oldest church. Built in 1700, it originally stood at the center of the city.The Church of St. Elias
The Church of St. Built in 1720, Elias is the second oldest church in Zahlé. This impressive structure is also known as Al-Moukhallasiah.
The Monastery of Our Lady of Najat
The Monastery of Our Lady of Najat, also constructed in 1720, has the largest bell tower in Lebanon. The monastery is known as well for a beautiful icon of the Virgin Mary, a gift from the King of Prussia.
Monastery of Saint Elias at-Tuwak
The Monastery of Saint Elias at-Tuwak, which dates to 1755, was renovated in 1880 after a fire destroyed it. Today it remains one of Zahlé's most venerable monuments.
Our Lady of Zahle and the Beqaa
The 54 meter high hilltop tower of Our Lady of Zahle and the Beqaa, located east of town, offers a spectacular panorama of the Beqaa Valley. Here an elevator takes visitors up to a viewing platform overlooking the city and the extending plain.
The structure is crowned with a 10 meter high bronze statue of the Virgin, the work of the Italian artist, Pierroti. The base houses a small chapel seating about a hundred people.
The Zahlé area has some scattered ancient remains indicating a history going back at least to the Bronze Age (1200 - 3000 B.C.). Cave tombs can be observed in the cliffs of the Wadi el-Aarayesh, while Byzantine, Roman and Canaanite sarcophagi and ancient pottery sherds have been found in the hills around the city. ....
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