The district of Koura is in North Lebanon between
Batroun, the sea, Tripoli and Zghorta., following
on to Bsharry, the Cedars, and the valley of Qadeesha.
The name is of Greek origin and means the region or
the country.
When anybody speaks of Koura, one immediately thinks
of olive trees and oil, for it is a splendid region
majestically dominated by olive groves from the coast
right up to the heights. But there are also vineyards,
and both bitter and wild orange trees, the flowers
of the latter being used in the distilleries. The
population counts a high percentage of university
graduates, scholars and administrative officials.
The region has a considerable amount of industry,
with Lebanon’s largest cement works and associated
activities. But there is also plenty of tourism as
there are Roman remains and a large number of monasteries
and churches, not to mention universities. There are
luxurious residences including The Castle of Lebanon
inside the valley of Qadeesha, from where one has
a fine wide view of the neighboring hills of Ras Kifa.
This agglomeration is just over fifty miles from Beirut,
at an altitude of nearly one thousand and eight hundred
feet. The Syriac name indicates, riches and money.
Among the religious establishments one must not forget
Our Lady of Hamatoura on a majestic cliff facing Kousba.
It is visited by many of the faithful who go there
to fulfill a vow.
One’s attention is particularly drawn to a monument
in black basalt, the stones of which were transported
from the heart of Akkar. It is the work of a religious
enthusiast who during the last war wished by the help
of Our Lady of Hamatoura to set up a light for our
lives and to illuminate our path. The whole structure
stands as a monument which its builder wished to be
sacred and religious. It is a construction conceived
in a spirit of open-mindedness, emancipation and liberty.
Its name, Castle of Lebanon, is authentic and patriotic.
The author wished to add some details of the national
heritage, ancients jars used for holding oil and wine,
ancient remains, statuettes, a crown symbolizing learning
and the universal knowledge of Lebanese, and the presence
of the Lebanese on every continent. It is a tourist
site which draws thousands of visitors coming as pilgrims.
Cultural events are organized and folklore festivals
and concerts. There are green spaces and restaurants.
Joseph Matar and William Matar - Translation from
the French: Kenneth Mortimer
- Castle of Lebanon - Kousba: >> View
Movie << (2016-03-01)
