Jeita the jewel of Lebanese tourism

Jeita Grotto represents the master piece of Lebanese nature. It is also considered the jewel of Lebanese tourism.

It is located 20 km north of Beirut in the valley of Nahr-al-kalb. In this cave the action of water in the lime stone has created cathedral – like of various sizes, colors, and shapes of stalactites, and stalagmites, majestic curtains and fantastic rock formations.

The total length of the cave is 9040m. The grotto is made up of two lime stone caves: upper galleries which are about 2130m long, and a lower cave through which 6910m long river runs.

Geologically, the caves provide a tunnel for both the wet and dry parts which extends up to 11 km.

In 1958, Lebanese speleologists discovered the upper galleries, while the lower cave was discovered in the 19th century which has been accommodated with an access tunnel and a series of walk ways to enable tourist’s safe access by a small train or by the Telefric above the alley of the Nahr-al-kalb in the heart of green mountains.

In the lower caves, the first impression is the sound of rushing water and a sensation of clean cold. But the roar of the water fall at the entrance gives way to profound silence. As you glide deeper into the cave, whether right or left, an effective new lighting system illuminates expert rock-climbers and marvel at the columns and sculptures fashioned by those grate architects-water and time when visitors are transported by boats.

In Brief, Jeita Grotto is a popular re-creational show cave and a major tourist attraction. It was a candidate for the new 7 wonders of nature competition.