(Roman
Temple
48
km)
From
Chtaura
drive
in
the
direction
of
the
border
post
with
Syria,
(Masnaa),
but
turn
right
toward
Rashaya
just
before
the
post.
Continue
through
the
villages
of
Dahr
El-Ahmar
and
Labia
to
Ain
Harsha
village
whose
high-walled
terraces
wind
their
way
around
the
curves
of
the
hillsides.
From
here
you
have
to
walk.
The
rocky,
exposed
path
(steep
at
first
but
leveling
off)
from
the
top
of
the
village
leads
to
the
temple
through
a
wildly
beautiful
landscape.
On
the
walk,
which
takes
about
forty
minutes,
farmers
and
shepherds
will
greet
you
on
your
way
and
willingly
give
One of the best preserved temples on Mount Hermon, Ain Harsha is built of local limestone and blends in so well that it is virtually camouflaged among the rocky crags and boulders. A large stone (broken in two) in front of the temple, carries an inscription in Greek that dates it ti 114-115 AD. The temple was restored in 1938-39 and the west wall-the side you see as you approach-is so perfect it is easily mistaken for modern. Around the temple are more remnants of ancient habitation, including sarcophagi.
(BEIRUT - BYBLOS - JEITA GROTTO - TRIPOLI - SIDON - ZAHLÉ)
(AANJAR - THE CEDARS - TYRE - BAALBECK)
EGYPT - SYRIA - JORDAN