The Maten covers a wide area of Mount Lebanon diveded
into two Caza (sub-prefectures), North Maten and South
Maten, the latter being also called Baabda, a name
also applied to the town which is the administrative
center of the southern part. Towns and villages are
scattered from the Dahieh (the southern suburbs of
Beirut), up to the high hills of Falougha, Hammana
and Zebdine, with Ras el-Maten of which we shall now
talk in the middle.
To reach Ras el-Maten it is easy to follow the line
Beirut--Sin el-Fil--Ras el-Maten. Alternatively one
can get there by passing through Falougha, Hammana,
Bzebdine and the road which further on takes one to
the Beqaa Valley and Damascus. Ras el-Maten is twenty-five
miles from Beirut, capital of Lebanon, and lies at
about 3,000 feet above sea level.
Ras el-Maten is a pleasant area much visited by holiday
makers. A certain mountain-top was originally called
simply Ras, meaning head. But in view of the large
number of localities bearing the same name, such as
Ras el-Harf, Ras Beirut, Ras Kifa, Ras Masqua, Ras
Nhash, and so on, the name of the locality was added
on, making it Ras el-Maten, an Arabic name, beautiful
and precise.
Around Ras el-Maten there are many ancient remains
going back to Phoenicians, cellars, cave dwellings
and temples. There are many springs of water allowing
the land to be cultivated and exploited, so one finds
orchards with fruit trees such as apple trees, pear
trees, cherry trees and vines. There are also woodland
trees such as pines and oaks. Ain al-Marge at Deir
Kmat is one of the many springs providing the village
with an abundance of water. This much appreciated
summer resort is one where one can find many of the
traditions and customs typical of the mountains. Zahleh
and the valley of the Beqaa are only a short drive
away.
As far as infrastructure is concerned, Ras el-Maten
is thoroughly up-to-date, with electricity and telephone
networks and ample water supply. The town council
has its eyes on the future and is all out to modernize
the town and ensure that there are schools, sports
clubs, and leisure facilities to go along with the
fine residencies. This makes it a place where the
visitor can profit from its resources, the calm, the
welcoming atmosphere, and hospitality. The town has
two schools which together have about four hundred
pupils.
When visiting the place, one should not leave out
the Great Seraglio which was built by the Abillamaa
emirs in 1775 and is still in quite good condition.
Restoration would unfortunately be very costly, which
is a pity as the building is part of the Lebanese
heritage. It is very spacious and has served as a
high school, but was abandoned during the upheaval
of the late twentieth century. It stands round a wide
inner court and is surmounted by an elegant clock.
Among the illustrious inhabitants we must mention
the Lebanese author Anis Freiha, historian, novelist,
linguist and specialist in ancient languages.
There is a venerable church in Ras el-Maten although
the inhabitants are largely Druze. In fact in Ras
el-Maten Christians, Druze and Muslims live together
in harmony, peace and friendship.
Among the many activities there is a sculptor’s studio,
a showroom, a hotel and restaurants.
Joseph Matar
Translation from the French : Kenneth J. Mortimer
