Zahlé, Greek Catholic city in Beqaa Valley, Lebanon.
Zahlé sits at around 1,000 meters elevation and spreads along both banks of the Bardouni River at the foot of Mount Sannine's eastern slopes. The city follows the river as its main spine, with neighborhoods and streets arranged on both sides of the water.
From a small 18th-century village of about 200 houses, this place grew into Lebanon's third-largest city. Agricultural trade and commercial activity drove this transformation over the following centuries.
Wine and spirit production runs deep in this place, with local producers making traditional Lebanese wines and arak throughout the year. This heritage shapes how people here see their community and its connection to the land.
The riverfront promenade has many restaurants serving local Lebanese food, and the area fills with visitors on summer evenings. Plan your visit for the cooler months to avoid the intense heat of the valley.
A tall concrete tower topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary rises from a hilltop overlooking the Beqaa plain. The monument is visible from many directions across the valley and serves as a distinctive landmark.
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