Jdeidet Marjayoun is the prosperous
chief town of a large caza with tens of villages. Several roads
lead to it, the best known being the Sidon - Nabatiye - Kfartabnit
- Arnun - Marjeyun road.
The town owes its name to a large number of water sources and springs
forming small rivers, which made the surrounding plain very fertile.
It has a wide variety of trees and is famous for its beautiful landscape
and mild climate. The most important source is the al Dardarah spring
to the east, near al Khiam not far from the southern Lebanese border.
This is surrounded by outdoor restaurants serving Lebanese food.
Several banks, hotels and hospitals are found in Jdeidet Marjayoun.
In its vicinity, the tourist can visit many archeological sites,
such as Al Shqif, Tell Dibbin (where you can still find ancient
tombs) and Hasbaya. Near Dibbin is the mausoleum of Nabi Hizine.
Three kilometers north of Marjayoun is the mausoleum of the prophet
Ezekiel, a holy shrine visited by believers seeking the prophet’s
blessing. Eight kilometers east of Jdeidet Marjayoun lies the village
of Ibl al Saqi, famous for its beautiful houses and the springs
that made the agricultural development of the village possible.
Before the war, local authorities opened the so-called “Farmer’s
house,” an institution aiming at raising the living standard
of the peasants. A cultural and social club contributed to this
project by creating workshops for traditional handicrafts.
South of Ibl al Saqi lies al Khiam, a fairly big town with houses
built on a hill overlooking the plain of Marjayoun. The al Dardarah
spring bursts out west of the locality and irrigates its fields
and orchards.
Near Qlayya south of Marjayoun is an old monastery known as Qedissa
Hanni which stands on a high hill visible from the road. The huge
structure, with its own underground stables, is in ruin with the
exception of a small chapel installed in 1993. You then reach Adayse
and Mays al Jabal where you can visit an old Mosque said to belong
to one of the Prophet’s companions, Abi Zor al ghafari. In
Blida (30 km), there is an 18th century mosque with an old well.
Below Blida village are three old springs, now covered, around which
many legends are told.
Further south is the village of Kfar Kila and the important mausoleum
and shrine of Nabi Khodor who is related to Mar Jurious (St. George).
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