The name of this village
is of Aramaic origin and means a place of help or
aid, one might even say a medical clinic: Ba means
a house or a temple, while Daran means aid, succor,
assistance.
The village of Baazaran lies in the Shouf region
of Mount Lebanon at an altitude of 3,200 to 3,350
feet and can be reached by passing through Beiteddine
and Mukhtara, through Niha and Baazaran, or through
Maasser esh-Shouf, Al-Khraybeh, and Baazaran. It
is thirty-seven miles from Beirut and about five
miles south of Mukhtara. One might say that it is
a typical Lebanese mountain village, with its layout,
terraces and old-style dwellings, and above all
the delightful hospitality of its people.
It is characterized by its ancient buildings which
go back to the time of the emirs and resemble those
of Deir el-Qamar, for they are built in a style
that was very widespread at that time. In particular
one may note the very beautiful palace of Ali Basha
Junblatt, a contemporary of our illustrious Emir
Fakhreddine II.
Baazaran is much visited and is a popular summer
resort thanks to the beauty of the surrounding nature
and the environment, and the agreeable air. There
is a khilweh serving the Druze, the residence of
Sheikh Mohammed Abu Shaqra, the Mazar Abu Manqoud
rock, cellars, antiquities, a serail in the style
typical of Baazaran, the church of Saint Elias (Elijah),
ancient wine presses, and a number of old houses
that have been abandoned. There are bubbling springs
from which clear streams run down, such as Ain el-Marah
and Ain es-Sayfieh, as well as pinewoods, and natural
nature reserves where birds abound.
There is a well-developed infrastructure with telephone
service, water and electric power supply, a club,
and an active local commerce. A visit to this place
can be a most pleasant way of spending one’s time.
William Matar
Translation from the French : Kenneth Mortimer
- Baazaran: >> View
Movie << (2014-08-01)
- Baazaran Inside: >> View
Movie << (2014-08-01)
