The name of the town comes from the Arabic Dulbeta
or Dulbeh, the plane tree, the scientific name of
which is Platanus orientalis. The plane tree is common
enough in such a mountainous region abounding in little
springs of water around which the trees grow. The
sources around Dlebta give rise to fast-flowing streams
from which water is collected in basins hewn out of
the hard ground, to be used for domestic consumption
and for irrigation. Thus it is that the region is
verdant and abounding in fruit trees, market gardens
and woodland. Olive trees, mulberry trees, vines and
many other kinds of tree and bush are cultivated in
the groves and orchards.
Dlebta, plunged in verdure, lies at nearly 2,500 feet
above sea level at the bottom of a valley between
the two projecting arms of the hills of Aramoun on
the north side and Maarab on the south side, nestling
with its rich greenery and abundant streams as between
the two arms of a chair. From this vantage point one
has a splendid view looking down to the sea at Maameltein
and a wonderful all-round panorama which is the delight
of sightseers and photographers. The village has the
satisfaction of self-sufficiency, with its people
themselves producing all the food they need and selling
the surplus elsewhere.
Dlebta is a typical Lebanese village, one might specify
a village of believers. Its houses have red-tiled
roofs and thick walls like those of a monastery or
church of pilgrimage, rather than those of ordinary
habitations. It is true that, lying deep in a valley
in the Lebanon range, it does not receive the caress
of the first beams of the morning sun. But after nine
or ten o’clock the ranks of dwellings are bathed progressively
by the luminous rays of our star. In the evenings
the clouds embracing the sun over the horizon of the
sea offer sweeping visions of blazing splendor.
Several fountains and springs keep the village amply
supplied with water. The population comprises a Lebanese
elite of members of parliament, ministers, company
directors, doctors, attorneys and bankers, as well
as skilled artisans and technicians. Influential Lebanese
families have come from Dlebta such as the Raphaels,
the Dibs. the Hattoums, and the Nasrs. It has given
the Church many priests, monks and nuns.
There are two routes leading to Dlebta. One can go
up from thr coastal highroad through Ghazir, Aramoun,
Our Lady of the Fields or Muzar and so to Dlebta,
or one can follow the road through Ghosta and Maarab
to Dlebta.
Dlebta is truly picturesque, enhance by several churches.
There is St. James’ and there is Our Lady of the Fields,
which is under the care of nuns and is a place where
groups come for a religious retreat and for prayer.
There is a Trappist monastery now occupied by Cistercian
monks devoting themselves to agriculture, the raising
of livestock, and the production of cheese and other
dairy products. They lead an ascetic life, never eat
meat and chant the holy office and other monastic
prayers. Of particular note is a modern architectural
cluster dedicated to the Holy Virgin and used on important
occasions.
Dlebta has all the infrastructure of a modern municipality,
with telephone service, electricity, running water,
town council, public library, restaurants, a club,
and sporting and cultural activities.
Surrounded by mountain slopes and splendid scenery,
Dlebta is only about twenty miles from Beirut and
seven from the important center of Ghazir. A pilgrimage
there takes one into an enchanted world and it is
well worth a visit.
Joseph Matar - Translation from the French:
Kenneth J. Mortimer
- Our Lady of Fields: >> View
Movie << (2013-11-15)
- Church Saint Jacques: >> View
Movie << (2013-12-01)
