Jeita
Grotto the longest cave in the Middle East is situated approximately 18 km
north of Beirut. It consists of two separate but interconnected caves and
boasts a length of 9 km. One of the world’s
most amazing agglomerations of stalactites and stalagmites, Jeita Grotto is
widely considered to be the pride of Lebanon and featured as a finalist in the
New Seven Wonders of Nature competition.
History
of the Jeita Grotto
The caves were inhabited by
prehistoric man, with evidence suggesting that
they were previously used to
produce swords. Reverend William Thompson an American missionary is credited
with the modern discovery of the caves in 1836. Thompson is said to have
advanced 50 m into the cave before firing his gun. The resultant echoes assured him that the caves were to be
of significant importance.
Jeita Grotto was not explored
further until 1870’s when Maxwell and Huxley of the Beirut Water Company
carried out extensive expeditions of the caves, reaching 1060 m inside the
Grotto.
Lebanese explorers have
ventured deeper into the cave since the 1940’s and have so far exposed 9 km of
Jeita Grotto. The caves were initially known as the Grottoes of Nahr – al –
Kalb after the underground river that runs through the Grottoes. Several names
were subsequently used including Djaita, Jehita and finally Jeita.
Jeita is derived from the town in which the
cave entrance is situated and is loosely translated in Armaic as the “ noise”
of water.
Lower
Grotto
A tour of the Lower Grotto
involves a 500 m electric boat trip along a subterranean black lake. At first you are met with
resonant sounds of rushing water and cool air but as the boat ventures further
into the cave profound silence is experienced. The boat tour provides a
marvelous sample of the enormous 6.200
m Lower
Grotto. The experienced is enhanced by a lighting system which illuminates
the columns and structures within.
Upper
Grotto
Unlike the Lower Grotto the
Upper Grotto can be visited on foot. Access is via a specially conceived 117 m long concrete walkway. Only 750 m of
the 2130 m cave is accessible for visitors. The Upper Grotto features a large concentration of crystallized formations such as
stalagmites, stalactites, ponds, mushrooms, columns, curtains and draperies.
Three chambers are accessible to visitors. The first is the White Chamber which
features the caves most impressive formations. It is home to the words longest
stalactite, which measures 8.2 km in length. The second is the red Chamber,
which is named due to its color. The Red Chamber Towers to 106 m high and is
between 30 to 50 m wide. The third chamber is the third chamber is the highest
of the tree, at a height of 120 m.
Tourist Attractions at
Jeita Grotto.
Jeta Grotto is one of the main
tourist attractions in Lebanon and as such it has developed numerous additional
features for visitors, including a train rope ways miniature Zoo and many
sculptures. There bare also numerous souvenir shapes featuring handmade
Lebanese products as well as several
restaurants serving traditional Lebanese
cuisine.
How
to get to Jeita Grotto
The best way to get to Jeita
Grotto is to drive from Beirut .The caves are only 18 km north
of Beirut. Another option would
be to take a minibus from Dawra to the Jeita Grotto, turn off on the Beirut
Jouniech highway, Here are taxis waiting who can take you the
remaining 5 km to Jeta Grotto. Alternatively you can take a taxi directly from Beirut.
When
to visit Jeita Grotto
The caves are open for the vast
majority of the year very day of the week apart from Monday. Opening hours vary
depending on the time of year thus it is advised to check the official website
prior to organizing your trip. Each year the caves close from around 4 weeks
from late January until early February.
During winter the Lower Grotto
is often closed when the water level become too high. The temperature in the
caves remains constant at 16 degrees Celsius throughout s the year.
Where
to stay at Jeita Grotto
Unfortunately there is nowhere
to stay overnight at the caves. However there is a range of accommodation options
available in Beirut.
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