Jezzîne: Waterfall, Crafts and Church History

Jezzîne brings together a striking waterfall, crafts and a layered church history. These different themes offer several reasons to get to know the town—from its landscape to its architectural and everyday history.

The Waterfall and Its Vantage Points

The exact height may vary; at 74 metres, Jezzine Waterfall is considered the highest waterfall in Lebanon. It lies 904 metres above sea level in the South Lebanon Governorate and is also considered the fifth-highest waterfall in the world and the highest in the Middle East. The 74 metres refer to the height of the waterfall, while the 904 metres refer to its elevation above sea level.

A short walk leads to the foot of the waterfall. You can also see it from the descending road beside the statue of the Virgin Mary at Jezzîne’s western entrance, known as Lady of Maabour. These descriptions refer to different perspectives: the path to the foot of the waterfall and a viewpoint on the road. Check local conditions before visiting.

Crafts and Church History

Souk El Sedd, in the heart of Jezzîne, is home to craft shops selling traditional cutlery from the region. Alongside the waterfall, local crafts are another defining feature of the town. Those interested in the connection between everyday objects and regional tradition will find a different way to experience Jezzîne here than through its landscape.

The churches also tell different chapters of the town’s history. Saint Maroun Church, on the outskirts of town, was destroyed in the 1759 earthquake and rebuilt on its ruins; a larger church was constructed in 1868. Our Lady of Assumption Church was built in Jezzîne in 1796 and belongs to the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. Together, these buildings offer insights into different periods of religious architecture.

Jezzine Source connects the town’s history with its former water supply: it supplied water to homes and powered a water mill that was later converted into a church. At the same time, the spring was a historic meeting place for the town. This site thus brings together community life and practical importance, without reducing the spring to just one historical role.

Choosing Jezzîne as a Place to Stay

When looking for a holiday rental in Jezzîne, these themes can help you decide whether the town is right for you. The waterfall offers a focus on the landscape, while the souk, churches and spring provide ways to explore crafts and local history. Consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay. The themes are not mutually exclusive: Jezzîne can be discovered for several different reasons, rather than through just one attraction.

More Culture in the South Lebanon Governorate

In the South Lebanon Governorate, the World Heritage site of Tyre offers a distinct archaeological attraction. It consists of two separate areas: the site on the promontory of the present-day city and the El Bass necropolis on the mainland. The city site includes remains of Roman baths, two palaestras, an arena, a Roman colonnaded street and a residential quarter. There are also remains of a cathedral built by the Venetians in 1127, as well as sections of the walls of an old Crusader castle.

The Tyre El Bass area includes the remains of a necropolis and a broad monumental street, overlooked by a Roman triumphal arch dating from the 2nd century AD. The division into a city site and a necropolis gives the archaeological site its own structure and sets it apart from Jezzîne’s waterfall and church attractions.

The Audi Foundation’s Soap Museum offers another cultural perspective in the South Lebanon Governorate. In a vaulted room, traditional soap-making and old tools take centre stage, alongside exhibits on bathhouses. The region’s cultural offerings therefore include not only archaeological remains but also crafts and the history of bathing.

Discover more destinations: Dhour Choueir, Batroûn, Douma, Ehden, Dahr Broummana, Zefta, Zahlé, Ḑahr Al Ḩarf

See the main travel guide: Lebanon.