Tannourine  is a Lebanese municipality located in the Qadaa of Batroun, part of the Mohafazah of North-Lebanon, 75 kilometers from the capital Beirut.
Tannourine is the plural of the Syriac word Tannour. A Tannour is an old stone oven used in ancient times. The very first settlers established a number of Tannours in Tannourine-Al-Fawqa, and later settled down the valley in Tannourine-Al-Tahta, where a more fertile landscape allowed local agriculture to thrive.

Tannourine lies in a collection of valleys and ravines accessible either from Douma, a backroad from Bsharri or from a newly constructed highway direct from Batroun.

The village also shares its name with a cedar forest of some 60,000 trees, making it the 2nd largest cedar reserve in Lebanon. The landscape overlooking the historic valley of Ain-Al-Raha is ideal for the culture of cedars, which grow in abundance. These cedars can be seen along the road that goes north to Hadath al-Jebbeh, which, although in poor condition, winds its way through wild and isolated scenery up to the Kadisha Valley gorge, leading to Bsharri.

Other companion trees like Cupressus, Pinus, Abies, Populus and others constitute a very rich ecosystem in planter species. The fauna described as being present in this type of unique ecosystem range from the various types of birds to wild animals.

The Village of Balaa is known for its deep natural sink hole. A 300 meter walk brings you to a dizzying open cavern some 250 meters deep. Three natural bridges – of which the middle one is the most spectacular – complete the scene. In the spring, snow melt water forms a scenic 90m high waterfall.

The Nahr-Al-Joze (the Joze being a species of trout that grows in the valley river) serpents through the valley and borders a number of Lebanese Restaurants, and creates a jungle-like ecosystem higher up towards the source. Likewise, the river has formed a number of natural pools of stagnant clear water that can be explored higher up towards the source.

Tannourine is well known for its ancient Maronite monasteries; specifically the convents of Saint Shallitah and Saint Antonios Houb, the latter being located in the village of Wata Houb.
Also, among the rocky outcrops of Tannourine-Al-Tahta is located an ancient 500-year-old Lebanese house, believed to be one of the earliest examples of Lebanese architecture. That same house was on the cover of a National Geographic report on Lebanon. Until late 2008, the occupant of the house was the oldest living man in Lebanon. Dubbed “Massoud”, he was reputed to be 109 years old.

Tannourine hosts a remarkably large number of archeological sites dating from the Roman-era onwards.
In the valley of Tannourine-Al-Tahta lies an nearly-intact Roman aqueduct and a decrepit reservoir and Roman Cistern at its side. It is a testament that the fertility of that valley was being exploited since at least the 1st century AD.

Higher up in the mountains, in the now abandoned village of Ain-Al-Raha, are found a number of 6th century and Crusader-era churches that many scholars believe to be one of the earliest known proofs of the presence of Christianity in the upper Levant. Indeed, according to the legend, Ain-Al-Raha (literally: source of relief) was during the 11th to 13th century asafe haven for defeated crusaders.

Also, above the previously mentioned old Lebanese house is an abandoned monastery sheltered in the hollow cave on the face of the mountain. It is believed that the 16th century remains were constructed in a way that it melded into the mountain to create a “camouflage” of sorts; and indeed unless you intend to search for it, you’d be hard-pressed to locate it immediately. Such caution was employed in order to thwart Ottoman invaders who wished to seize the Levant, which they eventually succeeded in doing.

Source: http://www.beirutnightlife.com/

Aabd alaleh
KMS from Beirut: 76 Kms.
Altitude: 600m.

Aabrine
KMS from Beirut: 60 Kms.
Altitude: 450m

Aaoura
KMS from Beirut: 78 Kms.
Altitude: 750m.

Aartez
KMS from Beirut: 70 Kms.
Altitude: 500m.

Assia
KMS from Beirut: 74 Kms.
Altitude: 900m.

Bachtoudar
KMS from Beirut: 86 Kms.
Altitude: 950m.

Bchealeh
KMS from Beirut: 83 Kms.
Altitude: 1150m.

Beit Chlala
KMS from Beirut: 82 Kms.
Altitude: 600m.

Bijdarfil
KMS from Beirut: 62 Kms.
Altitude: 430m.

Boksmaya
KMS from Beirut: 71 Kms.
Altitude: 450m.

Chabtine
KMS from Beirut: 71 Kms.
Altitude: 500m.

Chekka
KMS from Beirut: 86 Kms.
Altitude: coastal

Da’ael
KMS from Beirut: 77 Kms.
Altitude: 650m.

Dahr Abi Yaghi
KMS from Beirut: 79 Kms.
Altitude: 500m.

Derya
KMS from Beirut: 60Kms
Altitude: 450m.

Douma
KMS from Beirut: 88 Kms.
Altitude: 1050m.

Douq
KMS from Beirut: 74 Kms.
Altitude: 800m.

Eddeh
KMS from Beirut: 62 Kms.
Altitude: 400m.

El-Aalali
KMS from Beirut: 74 Kms.
Altitude: 875m.

El Heri
KMS from Beirut: 67 Kms.
Altitude: Coastal

Ftahat
KMS from Beirut: 68 Kms.
Altitude: 450m.

Ghouma
KMS from Beirut: 52 Kms.
Altitude: 440m.

Hadtoun
KMS from Beirut: 82 Kms.
Altitude: 1000m.

Hardine
KMS from Beirut: 91 Kms.
Altitude: 1100m.

Helta
KMS from Beirut: 74 Kms.
Altitude: 600m.

Hamat
KMS from Beirut: 60 Kms.
Altitude: 300m.

Ijdabra
KMS from Beirut: 60 Kms.
Altitude: 400m.

Jebla
KMS from Beirut: 75 Kms.
Altitude: 452m.

Jrabta
KMS from Beirut: 72 Kms.
Altitude: 550m.

Jrane
KMS from Beirut: 64 Kms.
Altitude: 450m.

kfar Aabeida
KMS from Beirut: 53Kms.
Altitude: Coastal.

Kfar Chlaimane
KMS from Beirut: 72 Kms.
Altitude: 700 m.

Kfour El Aarbi
KMS from Beirut: 83 Kms.
Altitude: 1100 m.

Kfar Hai
KMS from Beirut: 67 Kms.
Altitude: 400 m.

Kfar Halda
KMS from Beirut: 90 Kms.
Altitude: 650m.

Kfar Hatna
KMS from Beirut: 69 Kms.
Altitude: 450 m.

Kfifane
KMS from Beirut: 64 Kms.
Altitude: 400 m.

Koubba
KMS from Beirut: 56 Kms.
Altitude: Coastal

Kour
KMS from Beirut: 67 Kms.
Altitude: 475m.

Mar Mama
KMS from Beirut: 76Kms.
Altitude: 950m.

Mehmarch
KMS from Beirut: 75Kms.
Altitude: 1000m.

Mrah Chdid
KMS from Beirut: 64Kms.
Altitude: 500m.

Mrah El Hajj
KMS from Beirut: 75Kms.
Altitude: 750m.

Mrah Ez Zaiyat
KMS from Beirut: 64Kms.
Altitude: 450m.

Nahla
KMS from Beirut: 79 Kms.
Altitude: 750 m.

Niha
KMS from Beirut: 100Kms.
Altitude: 1350m.

Racha
KMS from Beirut: 76Kms.
Altitude: 1000m.

Selaata
KMS from Beirut: 75Kms.
Altitude: N/A.

Smar Jbeil
KMS from Beirut: 53Kms.
Altitude: 450m.

Sourate
KMS from Beirut: 86Kms.
Altitude: 500m.

Tannourine
KMS from Beirut: 76 Kms.
Altitude: 1400 m.

Toula
KMS from Beirut: 70 Kms.
Altitude: 650 m.

Rachana
KMS from Beirut: 58Kms.
Altitude: 300m.

Rachkida
KMS from Beirut: 69 Kms.
Altitude: 600m.

Ram
KMS from Beirut: 84Kms.
Altitude: 1150m.

Ras N Hash
KMS from Beirut: 65 Kms.
Altitude: 350m.

Wajh El Hajjar
KMS from Beirut: 58Kms.
Altitude: 200m.

Wata Houb
KMS from Beirut: 98Kms.
Altitude: 1350m.

Zene
KMS from Beirut: 70 Kms.
Altitude: 550 m.

Batroun Map

Click to view the map of Batroun in PDF format
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Cheka tunnel

Sandy Beach

Moufid’s House

Deir Saydet el Natour

Youssef El Feghaly Residence

St Sarkiss & Bakhoss Church

CSSK Sporting club

Kafar Abida

Farid Bakhoss residence

Charbel Tannous residence

Tanious Tannous Residence

fishermen port

st. Antonios Church

Cemetery

Joseph Bakhos Chalet

Blue Bay

Sawary resort

St Stephano resort

Taiga Sky

Aqua land

Bahsa public beach

Batroun "Botrys"

Light Box

Abdo El Bittar residence

Nabil Moussa residence

Lebanese Red Cross

St Joseph church

St Joseph School

Haytham Kirillos residence

BOTRYS "the old city of batroun

Phoenician wall

Fishermen port

St Estephan Cathedral

Taiga

Centro

BANK

New Documanos

The historic souk, located in North Lebanon’s ancient coastal city, Batroun, has undergone a rehabilitation project valued at half a million dollars, The project was launched in 2004/2005 with the help of World Bank funding, and further funding from the municipality for restoring historic public buildings and from the private sector for renovating private properties.

Batroun Constituency
Altitude: Coastal, at 53 km from Beirut
Leading Road: Beirut Coastal highway – Jounieh – Jbeil – Batroun

Latitude 34.2500
Longitude 35.6500
Altitude [feet] 0
Lat [DMS] 34° 15′ 0N
Long [DMS] 35° 38′ 60E
Time zone [est] UTC+2[+3DT]

To the North of Batroun
As Sutuh [1.3 nm]
Dayr Mar Yusuf [1.3 nm]
Kubba [1.3 nm]
Silata [2.2 nm]
Wajh al Hajar [2.2 nm]
Mazraat Hannoush [3.1 nm]

To the South of Batroun
Wata al Burj [3.1 nm]
Ad Diqar [1.0 nm]
Faduus [1.0 nm]
Al Burj [1.3 nm]
Kafr Oubayda [1.3 nm]

To the East of Batroun
Ad Dawrah [0.8 nm]
Hayy al Fghali [0.8 nm]
Wata Barra [0.8 nm]

To the West of Batroun
Ayia Napa [92.8 nm]

بالوع بعتارة أو بالوع الجسور الثلاثة معلم طبيعي عمره آلاف السنين وتفتخر به بلدة تنورين في أعالي جرود البترون، ولكنه يعاني إهمال الدولة. المهتمون والمستكشفون والسياح لا يهتمون بهذا الإهمال، يقصدون معلم تنورين بكثافة وخاصة في فصلي الربيع والصيف وفي نهاية كل أسبوع.
في منطقة بلعا المتاخمة للّقلوق وفي قصر لا تتعدى مساحته كيلومتراً واحداً، يقع بالوع الجسور الثلاثة، ويبدو قابعاً في منخفض مهيب تشرف عليه أشجار شاهقة أحدثت فيها عوامل التعرية أشكالاً أخّاذة.
يبلغ العمق الاجمالي للبالوع نحو 255 متراً وأجزاؤه موزعة كما يلي: يطل المنخفض على هوة أولى يبلغ عمقها 90 متراً وعرضها 100 متر، تخترق هذه الهوة في وسطها جسور ثلاثة طبيعية متراكمة.
في بعض شهور السنة يصب في هوة البالوع الرئيسية شلال من المياه الغزيرة ارتفاعه 90 متراً ثم يتفرع في الدهاليز السرية، أما الهوات الثلاث الباقية في البالوع فهي شديدة التعقيد وتحتوي على سراديب وبرك وهوات متفرقة وقاعات مغمورة بالمياه، متشابكلة في بعضها ومنفصلة في البعض الآخر. وفوق الجسر الأوسط للبالوع «محبسة» هي عبارة عن هوّة ومغارة معاً طولها 15 متراً بعمق 61 متراً.
استغرق التكون الطبيعي لفوهة البالوع نحو 150 مليون سنة كمنفذ للمياه، وهو بالوع حي لا تزال المياه تجري منه (عكس بالوع جورة العبد المجاور له) وقد ثبت بالاختبار العلمي اتصال مياهه بنهر مللّي في كفرحلدا.
ويتميز عن سواه من البواليع في لبنان والعالم بأن الوصول إليه سهل نسبياً وشكل فوهته نادر. لذلك يتحدث المستكشفون عن ضرورة تأهيله ووضع إشارات للزائرين وإرشادات للسياح أو إمدادهم بحبال للسلامة إذا أرادوا الغوص فيه.
بالوع بعتارة لا يعرفه كثيرون في لبنان لكنه يتمتع بشهرة عالمية، ويروي فادي الشاعر، أحد مالكيه، أنه كان يشاهد منذ صغره المستكشفين الفرنسيين ينزلون داخل البالوع بشخاتير هوائية.
ويروي معمرون في البلدة قصصاً عديدة عن البالوع وما فيه، منها وجود مغاور خفية في الصخور المحيطة بالبالوع عبر الجبل ويُقال إن أدوات قديمة وربما مجوهرات وجدت في محيطه. ويحكى عن رصد رجل راكب على خيل يجوب قرب البالوع لحماية كنز معين.
ويقول علماء فرنسيون «هناك طيور مميزة بألوانها الكثيرة (أكثر من 20 لوناً) لا تعيش إلاّ في مناخ كمناخ جبال الألب وبالوع بعتارة وهو مناخ لا تتمتع به إلا أماكن قليلة في العالم». وينقل العلماء عن شهود زاروا البالوع منذ فترة بعيدة، أنهم شاهدوا مثل هذه الطيور في البالوع.
الروايات والأحاديث عن بالوع بعتارة كثيرة ولكنها لا تسند إلى دراسات أو أبحاث علمية، ولم تقم فرق متخصصة بدراسات ميدانية معمقة عن هذا البالوع. إلاّ أن وحشة المكان وسحره يطلقان العنان لمخيلات الزوار الذين ينسجون حوله الحكايات، ولكنهم يؤكدون أنه بطبيعته وتاريخه يعتبر معلماً لبنانياً مميزاً يعاني كما تعاني معالم أخرى قلة الاهتمام

Source: الأخبار – عدد الثلاثاء ٢٦ أيلول ٢٠٠٦