The Maronite Monastery of St Anthony the Great — Attraction in North Governorate

Lebanon untravelled: "The Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great (Mar Antonios al-Kabir) is situated at a height of 950 meters above sea level in the celebrated Valley of Qozhaya, ” the Living Treasure “. The pine trees and oak trees cover the great hills surrounding it. Fruit trees of every description grow all along the valley which extends into the Valley of Qannubin to form the great Qadisha Valley, thus bearing witness to the history of eremitic life and the quest for holiness in Lebanon. Historians and scholars suppose that this Monastery was first built and began to be occupied by hermits at the beginning of the fourth century. It was several times looted, set on fire and razed to the ground, According to certain sources, it was during the time of Patriarch Sergius ar-Rezzi that in 1584 the first printing press was introduced into the East, and the psalter was printed the first time in 1585. A second printing press was in Qozhaya in 1610, and the library of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik conserve a copy from the psalter printed in that year."

A must visit place!! I strongly...

It's a wonderful site in Lebanon with historical, architectural and cultural importance. Mar Antonios Qozhaya was built in the 4th century by St Hilarion, in honor of the Egyptian anchorite, St Anthony the Great, though the earliest documentary records date back only to around 1000 AD. It was destroyed in the 16th century but quickly restored. It comprises a corridor, meeting room, and chapel, with a mill and a number of hermitages cut into the rock nearby. The monastery had the reputation of curing patients suffering from mental disorders. It is worth mentioning Mar Antonios Qozhaya contains the first printing press in the Middle East. According to historians, a movable type printing press was imported from England to the Monastery in 1585. The first publication was the book of “Mazameer” dated from 1610. The press did not print with Arabic letters but with Syriac letters....

Located in the Qadisha Valley, the Deir Mar Antonius Qozhaya monastery is best reached from Ehden. Built in 1865, it includes a beautiful rock cut chapel, a monk’s living quarters and a courtyard overlooking the valley.

​The Monastery also offers overnight stays (from 20 USD per person) and can prepare a fair-priced breakfast, lunch or dinner upon request.

To reach the monastery coming from the old center of Ehden, take the main road to the west and continue straight at the roundabout. At the junction at the end, turn right toward the north. After about two kilometers, take a sharp left at the junction with the statue. Turn left at the sign 'Couvent St. Antoine Koshaiya', which is located after another three kilometers. From there, it is another five minute’ drive to the bottom of the valley and...