Lebanon, a Middle Eastern country, is unique in that it has no desert. Facing the Mediterranean Sea, it has long been inhabited for its beautiful and fertile landscape. The country is home to mountain ranges rising up to 3,000 meters, whose snow-capped peaks gave rise to its name — “Lebanon” comes from the Phoenician word leban, meaning “white.”
Since ancient times, the Cedars of Lebanon have been prized as high-quality timber, and in ancient Egypt, they were even revered as sacred trees. The cedar appears frequently in ancient texts that survive to this day. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God” contains some of the last remaining Lebanese cedars and early Christian monasteries. Let’s take a closer look at this heritage site — the Qadisha Valley and the Forest of the Cedars of God.
What are the Qadisha Valley and the Forest of the Cedars of God?
Stretching roughly 160 kilometers north to south, the Lebanon Mountains run through the center of the country. The Qadisha Valley, located within this mountain range, is known as “The Holy Valley” and boasts some of Lebanon’s most spectacular scenery. In ancient times, the mountains were said to be completely covered by Cedars of Lebanon. However, because their timber was prized in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and the Phoenicians used them to build ships for Mediterranean voyages, overharvesting drastically reduced their numbers. The Phoenicians’ prosperity was not sustained by these cedars, and today only about 400 trees remain — two over 3,000 years old and ten over 1,000 years old. The remaining trees are now protected.
Another important feature of this World Heritage Site is its monasteries. The Qadisha Valley was one of the most significant centers for early Christian monastic life in the world, serving as a refuge for monks fleeing persecution. Later, it became the heartland of the Maronite monastic community, where monasteries were built on surrounding hills for communal living. In 1998, the area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God.”
Name: Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)
Address: Aarbet Qozhaiya, Lebanon
Official/Related Website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/850/
Access to Qadisha
By car, it takes about two hours. By bus, you can depart from the Dawra Bus Station in Beirut and get off at Bcharre to reach the heritage site. Shared buses may take two to three hours, so plan accordingly and allow extra time.
Highlight ①: The Qadisha Valley
Depending on the weather, the Qadisha Valley offers breathtaking views. It lies within the mountainous region of Qornet es-Saouda, which rises to 3,087 meters. When clouds or mist drift into the valley, the scene becomes so mystical it feels as if gods might dwell there. This landscape is among the finest in Lebanon — a sight said to be worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.
The scenery changes dramatically with the seasons. In spring, flowers bloom and the greenery is gentle and vibrant. In winter, snow blankets the mountains, transforming the valley into a dreamlike vista.
Highlight ②: The Healing Cedars of Lebanon
The Cedars of Lebanon are among the world’s most valuable types of cedar, and the rare trees growing naturally in the Forest of the Cedars of God are part of this World Heritage Site. Their fine-grained, aromatic wood has long been revered as sacred. The species actually belongs to the pine family.
The wood was used for temples and coffins, and the resin for embalming mummies. The cedars even appear in The Epic of Gilgamesh, the world’s oldest known story. Unfortunately, due to overharvesting, few remain today. The Forest of the Cedars of God is a protected area that still contains two cedars over 3,000 years old — silent witnesses to millennia of history. The Lebanese cedar is also depicted on the national flag of Lebanon.
Highlight ③: Monasteries Built into Rugged Cliffs
Although located in the Middle East, about 40% of Lebanon’s population is Christian. This region was evangelized by Jesus’s direct disciples, and it contains many sites associated with the Bible. Within the Qadisha Valley, monasteries cling to steep cliffs, testaments to both faith and endurance.
The monasteries served as vital centers for early Christian asceticism and later as shelters for those fleeing persecution. Some are carved directly into rock caves and still preserve frescoes and religious art.
◎ Summary
This time, we explored Lebanon’s World Heritage Site “The Qadisha Valley and the Forest of the Cedars of God.” The landscape shaped by the famous Cedars of Lebanon and its natural surroundings is stunningly beautiful. Seeing it in person offers a tangible sense of the country’s long and rich history. Despite being in the Middle East, Lebanon has no desert, abundant water, and a strong Christian presence — making it quite different from common stereotypes. With multiple World Heritage Sites and generally welcoming conditions when stable, Lebanon is a highly recommended destination for travelers.