Smar Jbeil

Smar Jbeil (

Smar could be of Aramaic origin: Shemreho ܫܡܪܚܐ which means the "guardian" or the "protector";^[1] Jbeil stands for Byblos, being the nearby coastal famous city. Given its strategic location on an open hillside, the village and its fort could have served as an advanced position for the defense of Jbeil from its northern side.

Others^[who?] refer the name to the Phoenician roots: Sym meaning "tomb" and Mar meaning lord.^{[citation needed]} In this case, the village could have served as a burial ground for the kings of Jbeil (which is the oldest Phoenician city located at 20 km at the southwest of Smar Jbeil).

History

Smar Jbeil is one of the oldest villages in Lebanon according to Henri Lammens in his book Tasrīḥ al-abṣār fī mā yaḥtawī Lubnān min al-āthār.^[2] It has a very old castle at the western entrance of the village built on a strategic hill, showing from its western side, the Mediterranean coast from Byblos to Tripoli, and from its eastern side the mountains of Lebanon specially the famous Cedars of God mountain near Bsharri.

The Roman troops conquered the village from its northern side under the leadership of Pompey the Great, probably during his Eastern campaign in 63 BC.^[3] Up till today, we can see some Roman statues in the castle as well as a Roman theater with its circular architecture^{[citation needed]}.

Many

The castle was built in the center of the village, on a hill showing the entire neighborhood. While it may rest on pre-Roman foundations, its existing structure dates to the period of the Crusades, when the area was part of the County of Tripoli.

The Castle had a main tower controlling the coast between Jbeil and

The old church of Saint Bassil and Nohra stands in the center of the village. It is constructed of mixed elements from a Roman temple^[citation needed] and some later material, notably from medieval times. The church was renovated over the history first by the Crusades and after by the Maronites. The last renovation was done in the late 1800 where a rock chain was added to the main entrance. Saint Nohra is a priest form Manhour in Egypt who came to preach in Batroun in the early centuries of Christianity. When he reached the city, he was asked by its king to deny Jesus Christ; he refused immediately and kept preaching in Jesus Christ in the entire city. He was captured (by the king), killed and buried in one of the castle's wells. The well became since then, a shrine for all Christian believers. Saint Nohra is known as the intercessor of sight, he had a Sister named Takla (different from Saint Takla, follower of Saint Paul) and a brother named Qanoon.^{[citation needed]}

Close to Saint Nohra, an old little ruined chapel with a single nave could be seen, Our Lady of Gifts church. It is believed that this church is older than Saint Nohra's church.

Less than 500 meters from Saint Bassil and Nohra church one cand find Saint Takla church, which is a smaller yet very old church venerated by the parish until our days. .^[5]

Prominent personalities

Patriarchs

Smar Jbeil is the homeland of three Maronite