Christian Heritage
Lebanon's Christian heritage can be traced back to the Old Testament. The famed Cedars of Lebanon are referred to numerous times in the Bible as symbols of beauty and strength. Moreover, Lebanese cedar wood was sent to Jerusalem for the construction of Solomon's Temple. Jesus and his disciples preached in the cities of Sour (Tyre) and Saida (Sidon), and Christianity was brought to Lebanon by the apostle St. Peter.

Lebanon is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible, and there are ancient Christian sites of interest scattered throughout the country. For example, the village of Qana, where it is believed Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, is located in South Lebanon. In addition to the many Biblical sites in the South, the Qadisha Valley ("Holy Valley"), the seat of the Maronite Church, offers a wealth of hidden, rock-cut monasteries, grottoes, and sacred sites waiting to be explored. Visit the ancient ruins of Sour (Tyre), Baalbek, or other sites to discover traces of Lebanon's Byzantine/Orthodox heritage.