Qadisha Cave stores the subterranean wonders of Lebanon
Published: 04:09 PM,Sep 13,2023 | EDITED : 08:09 PM,Sep 13,2023
Lebanon is a country blessed with spectacular caves. The Middle East's first caving club, established in 1951, resides in the heart of it. I recently had the privilege of embarking on a spelunking adventure guided by the seasoned experts of the Speleo Club du Liban.
The visionary founders of this club —Lionel Gorra, Albert Anavy, Raymond Khawam, and Sami Karkabi —set out on a mission to promote speleological activities, encompassing both scientific exploration and sports-related pursuits within caves.
Just a few weeks ago, I had the honour of joining Johnny Tok, the club's current president, on a remarkable journey to the Qadisha cave. Nestled in northern Lebanon, near the picturesque village of Bcharre, known as the hometown of the celebrated poet Khalil Gibran, this cave shares its home with the ancient cedars of Lebanon, often referred to as 'The Cedars of God.'
Qadisha cave is a masterpiece sculpted by the artistry of water flowing from the snow-clad peaks of Mount Lebanon, rising to an impressive elevation of 3088 meters above sea level. The abundance of water flow within the cave renders it inaccessible during the winter and spring months due to the high water levels within the cave system.
The journey of exploration within the Qadisha cave began with the Speleo Club du Liban in the 1980s. Still, it wasn't until 2004 that the club embarked on further expeditions, meticulously mapping the cave and gaining deeper insights into its geological evolution.
The cave's historical significance traces back to 1903 when Father Youhanna Barakat Rahmé stumbled upon its entrance while tracing the course of the Qadicha River upstream. Although Father Rahmé commenced exploration, he was soon deterred by the challenging underground terrain and the biting cold drafts. It wasn't until 1924 that Father Mtanios Geagea and Hanna Geagea resumed the journey, venturing some 750 meters deep. In 1926, a passage was ingeniously constructed, allowing the first 200 meters of the cave to be opened to the public.
In 1931, engineer Tanios Abou Chahine produced the cave's maiden topographic plan, with the first photographs captured by the lens of photographer Harmédian. The cave's interior is a treasure trove of speleothems, including enchanting stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, and mesmerizing cave pearls, all testaments to nature's intricate artistry.
Recent developments have transformed the cave into a welcoming destination for visitors. Johnny Tok, an architect and passionate caver from Bcharre, played a pivotal role in collaborating with the village municipality to bring this project to fruition.
While the visitor trail spans roughly 180 meters, the cave system's total development extends no less than 1000 meters. My expedition with Johnny was a unique privilege. The icy water, registering around 7 degrees Celsius, required me to wade through freezing depths to access some of the cave's most enchanting chambers. The breathtaking formations I encountered made the chilling plunge more than worthwhile.
The Qadisha cave officially opened its doors to the public on August 3, 2020, welcoming visitors from May to October. The cave has since become a popular destination, attracting an estimated 2,000 visitors each month.
The waters flowing from the cave also serve a practical purpose, contributing to electricity generation as they merge into Wadi Qannoubine, also known as 'the Holy Valley.' This sacred valley has provided solace and refuge to early Christian monastic communities for centuries and has also drawn Muslim spiritualists and Sufis in search of meditation and solitude.
The historical significance of the Qadisha Valley is profound. Its natural caves have served as shelters and burial grounds since the Paleolithic period. The Holy Valley has been a sanctuary for those seeking solitude for centuries, hosting continuous monastic communities since the early days of Christianity.
Notably, a team of speleologists from the GERSL scientific organization uncovered eight remarkably preserved natural mummies, dating back to around 1283 AD, in the 'Asi-al Hadath’ cave. This remarkable discovery was accompanied by many artifacts, shedding light on the valley's rich history.
Flowing through the valley for 35 kilometres, Nahr Qadisha originates from the Qadisha cave, just below the Forest of the Cedars of God. The valley's cliffs, often exceeding 1,000 meters in height, house numerous caves, many of which are challenging to access. The most breathtaking stretch of the valley spans approximately 20 kilometres between Bcharre and the village of Tourza to the west.
Lebanon's Qadisha Valley, with its remarkable caves and rich history, stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the enduring human quest for spiritual connection and exploration. My journey through this captivating landscape left an indelible mark, and I hope many more adventurers can experience its wonders in the future.
The visionary founders of this club —Lionel Gorra, Albert Anavy, Raymond Khawam, and Sami Karkabi —set out on a mission to promote speleological activities, encompassing both scientific exploration and sports-related pursuits within caves.
Just a few weeks ago, I had the honour of joining Johnny Tok, the club's current president, on a remarkable journey to the Qadisha cave. Nestled in northern Lebanon, near the picturesque village of Bcharre, known as the hometown of the celebrated poet Khalil Gibran, this cave shares its home with the ancient cedars of Lebanon, often referred to as 'The Cedars of God.'
Qadisha cave is a masterpiece sculpted by the artistry of water flowing from the snow-clad peaks of Mount Lebanon, rising to an impressive elevation of 3088 meters above sea level. The abundance of water flow within the cave renders it inaccessible during the winter and spring months due to the high water levels within the cave system.
The journey of exploration within the Qadisha cave began with the Speleo Club du Liban in the 1980s. Still, it wasn't until 2004 that the club embarked on further expeditions, meticulously mapping the cave and gaining deeper insights into its geological evolution.
The cave's historical significance traces back to 1903 when Father Youhanna Barakat Rahmé stumbled upon its entrance while tracing the course of the Qadicha River upstream. Although Father Rahmé commenced exploration, he was soon deterred by the challenging underground terrain and the biting cold drafts. It wasn't until 1924 that Father Mtanios Geagea and Hanna Geagea resumed the journey, venturing some 750 meters deep. In 1926, a passage was ingeniously constructed, allowing the first 200 meters of the cave to be opened to the public.
In 1931, engineer Tanios Abou Chahine produced the cave's maiden topographic plan, with the first photographs captured by the lens of photographer Harmédian. The cave's interior is a treasure trove of speleothems, including enchanting stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, and mesmerizing cave pearls, all testaments to nature's intricate artistry.
Recent developments have transformed the cave into a welcoming destination for visitors. Johnny Tok, an architect and passionate caver from Bcharre, played a pivotal role in collaborating with the village municipality to bring this project to fruition.
While the visitor trail spans roughly 180 meters, the cave system's total development extends no less than 1000 meters. My expedition with Johnny was a unique privilege. The icy water, registering around 7 degrees Celsius, required me to wade through freezing depths to access some of the cave's most enchanting chambers. The breathtaking formations I encountered made the chilling plunge more than worthwhile.
The Qadisha cave officially opened its doors to the public on August 3, 2020, welcoming visitors from May to October. The cave has since become a popular destination, attracting an estimated 2,000 visitors each month.
The waters flowing from the cave also serve a practical purpose, contributing to electricity generation as they merge into Wadi Qannoubine, also known as 'the Holy Valley.' This sacred valley has provided solace and refuge to early Christian monastic communities for centuries and has also drawn Muslim spiritualists and Sufis in search of meditation and solitude.
The historical significance of the Qadisha Valley is profound. Its natural caves have served as shelters and burial grounds since the Paleolithic period. The Holy Valley has been a sanctuary for those seeking solitude for centuries, hosting continuous monastic communities since the early days of Christianity.
Notably, a team of speleologists from the GERSL scientific organization uncovered eight remarkably preserved natural mummies, dating back to around 1283 AD, in the 'Asi-al Hadath’ cave. This remarkable discovery was accompanied by many artifacts, shedding light on the valley's rich history.
Flowing through the valley for 35 kilometres, Nahr Qadisha originates from the Qadisha cave, just below the Forest of the Cedars of God. The valley's cliffs, often exceeding 1,000 meters in height, house numerous caves, many of which are challenging to access. The most breathtaking stretch of the valley spans approximately 20 kilometres between Bcharre and the village of Tourza to the west.
Lebanon's Qadisha Valley, with its remarkable caves and rich history, stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the enduring human quest for spiritual connection and exploration. My journey through this captivating landscape left an indelible mark, and I hope many more adventurers can experience its wonders in the future.