The district of Batroun lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and extends between Jbeil and Tripoli along the coast, and into the heart of Mount Lebanon partially covering the flanks of the chain Western mountains to reach its peaks at 2,700 meters of altitude

ts area is around 278 square kilometers, with an estimated population of approximately 180,000 inhabitants. The landscape is appealing, and there are many important touristic landmarks such as: El- Mseilha, Duma, and Tannourine.

Batroun’s streets are charming and mostly famous for its well known and deliciously made lemonade juice. Those streets combine the old houses, gardens, ancient churches and archaeological landmarks. This region includes many old convents and churches scattered on its coast and its mountains especially “Douma“, which represents a touristic interest to many people from different regions of Lebanon. Batoun is also distinguished by cedars forest rising above the village of “Tannourine”.

Historical Background

Phoenicians, called it ‘Betrouna’, then during the Greek-Roman era, it was called “Botrys” (bunch of grapes), and in the Syriac language it is “Beit Trouna”.

In the year 551, Batoun was devastated by a violent earthquake, and during the Crusaders period it was joined to the province of Tripoli (Capital of North Lebanon).

Near the small fishing harbor, there is the façade of the Maronite Church of Mar Stephan (St. Stephan). It was built by an Italian architect between the end of the 19^th century and the beginning of the 20^th century. It can receive more than one thousand believers, which makes it one of the largest churches in Lebanon. In its city centre, there are also stones and remains of a fortress that dates back to the Crusaders period.

If you are heading north towards Tripoli, to the right just before the tunnel of Chekka stands the famous “Kalaat El- Mseilha”. This lovely fortress that stands proudly on a mountain peak is a very strategic location that has been preserved for a long time. It is very famous as its picture was printed on the 25 Lebanese pound denomination.

As for the Crusader castle of “Smar Jbeil” which is a square castle, a part of its foundations is dug in the rocks, and it overlooks the town.