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Panoramic Views > North > Al Batroun > Qandoula / Kandoula – Calycotone


Qandoula / Kandoula – Calycotone

The Qandoula is not so much a tree as a sort of large bush or shrub, widespread in the Lebanese mountains.

Qnadoula is also the name of certain villages or hamlets and the villages which are named after trees are quite plentiful in Lebanon. There is the Shaarbineh (cypress) quarter of Sofsaf (weeping willow), Sindyan (oak tree), Wadi ed-Delb (Plane Trees Valley), Wata el-Jawz (Walnut Hollow), Iklim al Kharoub (Carob District), Ballout (acorn), Zaarour (Crataegus), Wadi el-Laymoun (Orange Valley), Mazraat et-Teffah (Apple Orchard), and others.

In Lebanon mankind and his environment form a single entity. The tree, the rock, all Nature, form a “Me” of their own. Nature and Man are inseparable. By its shade and fresh air underneath its boughs the tree protects its fruit, blossom, wood and buds.

A tree is a landmark, with a central place in the public squares, church courts, and shrines. It is a meeting-place for lovers, for children, one that they know.

Tree have become national emblems, notably the Cedar, the Palm Tree, and the Maple symbolized by its leaf.

On the heights of the district of Batroun, at rather more than three thousand feet above sea level, there is a hamlet called Qandoula, forty miles from Beirut and twelve from the town of Batroun. There are many ways of getting there, but we point out in particular the road through Madfoun, Rashana, Smar Jbeil, Irane, Harbouna, Sourat, Halta, and so to Qandoula. If one comes from the North there is the road from Batroun to Ijdabra, Bedragfel, Selaal, Sourat, Halta and finally Qaqndoula.

On the north side of Qandoula lies Oura, with Bsatines el-Oussi to the east, Halta to the west, and Beit Shlela to the south.

As we arrive we are received by some magnificent oak trees, real giants of great beauty. The indicate human presence, a cluster of some houses lost in the space, almost invisible. The roads have no asphalt and there is no school, medical center or other infrastructure. One can only suppose that Qandoula depends entirely on the neighboring villages.

What is most saddening is the total lack of respect for the environment. From morning till nightfall dozens of hunters position themselves under the great oaks and open fire on the birds without pity. Qandoula is well worth a visit and one should walk around there on foot, and so be able to relax under the oaks and breathe deeply of the pure and unpolluted air. It is a place where one should meditate and pray.

Joseph Matar and William Matar
Translation from the French : Kenneth Mortimer


- Qandoula / Kandoula – Calycotone
: >> View Movie << (2016-05-01)
- Qandoula / Kandoula – Calycotone
: >> View Movie << (2016-05-01)

 

 


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