Viewpoint on Akroum

Akroum, Akkar District

Viewpoint on Homs

Akroum, Akkar District

Akroum's old olive oil press

Akroum, Akkar District

Al-Nir Plateau

Akroum, Akkar District

Al-Nir Cave

Akroum, Akkar District

Wadi Jhanam / Death Valley

Akroum, Akkar District

Akroum Roman Temples

In the far northeastern corner of Lebanon, perched at nearly 1300 meters above sea level, the village of Akroum shelters the remains of three Roman temples — silent witnesses to a past both mysterious and majestic.

Likely built between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE, these mountain sanctuaries are rarely visited today, but their presence in this rugged landscape is striking.

The first temple is still relatively well preserved. A monumental archway marks the entrance to the sacred space, leading into the main chamber or cella. Several walls remain standing, revealing the classical layout of a Roman podium temple, built from carefully cut limestone blocks, following techniques common to other mountain temples in the Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges.

The second temple, more ruinous, retains only some foundational stones and scattered blocks. Its layout is harder to discern, but its proximity to the first suggests a larger religious complex — possibly dedicated to a local triad or regional protective deities.

The third temple, slightly farther away, still has standing walls, though no columns or pediments remain. Its isolated position may point to a different function or a more nature-oriented form of worship.

Poorly documented and rarely studied, the Akroum temples raise many questions: To which gods were they dedicated? What role did Akroum play in the ancient religious geography of northern Lebanon? While we await answers, these ruins offer a fascinating stop for curious travelers and hikers drawn to ancient mysteries.

Akroum, Akkar District

Viewpoint on Wadi Es-Sabaa

Akroum, Akkar District

Es-Sabaa Valley

Akroum, Akkar District

Wadi Es-Sabaa Babylonian steles

In Wadi Es Sabaa, two famous Babylonian stelae from the reign of Nabuchodonosor have been discovered. One of these stelae depicts a Babylonian man engaged in combat with a lion, which lends the valley its name. The second stela portrays a seated king or ruler holding an unidentified object in his right hand. The carvings on both stelae include various celestial symbols, such as the seven-segmented star of Astarte and a crescent-shaped bow.

Akroum, Akkar District

Wadi Es-Sabaa

Located 70 km northeast of Beirut, Wadi Es Sabaa is a scenic valley near the villages of Akroum, Kfar Toun, and Mrah el Bsatine in North Lebanon. The valley is a popular destination for hikers, with a variety of picturesque paths to explore.

Throughout the year, the valley enjoys a pleasant climate, with temperatures ranging from a maximum of 28° C in July to a minimum of 6° C in January. Along the way, hikers can discover fascinating remnants of history, including two famous Babylonian stelae dating back to the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.

The first one depicts an individual wearing a crown and facing a lion standing on its hind legs. The second one, located beneath this site in Sheer el Sanam, features a carving of a king or ruler, seated, with an unidentified object in his right hand. The carvings also include various celestial symbols, such as the seven-segmented star of Astarte and a crescent-shaped bow.

Akroum, Akkar District

Mount Akroum

Mount Akroum, situated in northern Lebanon, encompasses several villages, including one named after the mountain itself. This rugged terrain flourishes with archaeological treasures dating back to Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic civilizations. Visitors can witness rocky necropolises and ancient tombs crafted from stone slabs or hewn into cliffs, as well as remnants of churches.

The village of Akroum boasts a Roman temple, a grand Byzantine church dedicated to Mar Shamshoum al-Jabbar (Saint Samson the Strong), and numerous water reservoirs. At a location called Jabal al-Hussein, two parallel structures are visible, with the best-preserved temple situated north of the site, featuring a main cell partitioned by a large arch. In proximity to this temple lies the ruins of another, larger temple, though the available remnants are not enough to identify its plan.

In Wadi es-Sebaa, known as the Valley of the Lion, visitors can behold two obelisks from the New Babylonian era. The first obelisk depicts a character adorned with a tiara standing opposite a lion standing on its hind legs. Approximately 60 meters above the lion stele, at a place called "Shir as-Sanam" or the Cliff of the Statue, lies another cone-shaped stele.

To reach the site, travel 60 kilometers from Halba. From Al-Abdeh, north of Tripoli, head towards Halba and continue on to Qubayyat, Aandaqet, and Akroum.

Akroum, Akkar District

Saint Elias Monastry

Andaket, Akkar District

Oudine Valley

The Oudine valley is one of the widest valleys of Lebanon. It abounds with Calabrian pine trees, oaks, oriental strawberry trees, oriental plane trees, and cypresses.

There used to be a human presence in the valley, considering the ruins of dwellings, and especially the remains of convents and churches.

Finally, it is worth noting that Oudine holds significant geological significance due to the presence of the Yammoune fault line that passes through it.

Andaket, Akkar District

Old Silk Factory

Andaket, Akkar District

Notre-Dame de Qamma’a

Qatlabah, Akkar District

Saydet el Ghassalet

Kobayat, Akkar District

Silk Factory Qoubaiyat

Kobayat, Akkar District

Aandqet Silk Factory

Andaket, Akkar District

Helesban Park

Kobayat, Akkar District

The Cross

Kobayat, Akkar District

Permanent Science Museum

The old school of the Saint Doumit Monastery, built in 1908 on the ruins of the "school under the oak tree", was transformed into a museum of Lebanese nature by Fathers François Tanb and Ayyoub Yaacub.

Today, more than 400 taxidermied birds and animals — both local and migratory species passing through the land of the Cedars — are displayed here for scientific and educational purposes.

In the first room, visitors are greeted by foxes, owls, porcupines, hyenas, and wildcats.
Most of the birds were captured in regions such as Akkar (Bazzina, al-Bireh, Qoubayat), West Bekaa, Hermel, the mountains of Kesrouan, and even in Beirut.

A second room showcases an extraordinary collection of 4,000 butterflies, arranged on the walls in a vibrant explosion of colors.

This museum offers a captivating glimpse into the richness of Lebanon’s natural heritage.

Kobayat, Akkar District

Saint Doumit Monastry

The Mar Doumit monastery was built by the Carmelites in 1836 on the site of a pagan temple that dates back to the Roman era.

Kobayat, Akkar District

Notre Dame Chahlo

Kobayat, Akkar District

Saint Challita Monastery

Qatlabah, Akkar District

Our Lady of Dahr Church

Kobayat, Akkar District

Sainte Moura Church

Kobayat, Akkar District

Mayor Hajj of Aydamoun

The museum is a unique heritage site housed in the former municipal residence of the Hajj family in Aydamoun, Akkar. It offers an authentic glimpse into the administrative, social, and cultural life of the village through collections of traditional furniture, vintage photographs, official documents, and artisanal objects. As a true place of memory, it reflects the historical role of the mayor within the community and aims to preserve local identity while raising awareness among visitors—students, researchers, and tourists alike—about the history and heritage of Aydamoun. Discreet yet rich in symbolism, the museum embodies the intergenerational transmission of civic and cultural legacy.

Aidamoun, Akkar District

Saint Georges Monastry

Kobayat, Akkar District

Vallée d’Helsban

Qatlabah, Akkar District

The White Spring

Kobayat, Akkar District

Ecological house

Qatlabah, Akkar District

Canaanite Tombes

The Canaanite tombs, which were hand-dug into caves, date back 3000 years.

Akkar el Atika, Akkar District

Zabboud spring

Akkar el Atika, Akkar District

Rock Bridge

Akkar el Atika, Akkar District

Iron Oak Forest of Kobayat

Kobayat, Akkar District

Kef Wehbe

Kobayat, Akkar District