Ras ash-Shaq'a
Ras ash-Shaq'a
Arabic : رأس الشقعة | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Deir el Nouriyeh cliffs of Ras Chekaa |
| Designated | 16 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 979[1] |
Ras ash-Shaq'a (alternative spelling Râs ach-Chaq’a’) is a promontory in north Lebanon, known in antiquity as Theoprosopon and Lithoprosopon. The promontory is situated between the ancient cities of Batroun and Tripoli; it creates a massive barrier that cuts through the coast of Lebanon, making it historically difficult for travelers to circumvent. Today's modern, coastal highway runs through the mass via two tunnels.
History
During Antiquity, a road that ran parallel to the sea existed, which made it possible to circumvent Cape Lithoprosopon and to connect Batroun to Tripoli. Historians report that the earthquake of 551 A.D. caused a landslide, causing the road to sink into the sea permanently, and thus isolating Tripoli from Batroun and Byblos.[2]
The name of the cape changed throughout history. The oldest mention of the promontory appears in the writings of the
The French historian,
Modern tourist attraction
The cape today is home to several seaside resorts. It is also a popular Christian pilgrimage site where believers visit the shrine and monastery of Our Lady of Nourieh, located in the village of Hamat.
Wetlands
There is a
References
- ^ "Deir el Nouriyeh cliffs of Ras Chekaa". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Annals 48, 3, 2005+app1" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
- ^ http://www.destinationlebanon.gov.lb/french/promenade/batrounhistory.asp [dead link]
- ^ "Deir el Nouriyeh cliffs of Ras Chekaa". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
Further reading
- Davie, Michael F.; Salamé-Sarkis, Hassan (1986). "Le Théouprosopon-Ras as-Saq'a (Liban) : étude géo-historique". Mélanges de l'Université Saint-Joseph. 41: 2–48.