A visit to the Lebanese village of Jezzine

When it gets hot in Beirut, Lebanese who can flee to the mountains. Jezzine in the south central mountains is such a village. Our dear Lebanese friend insisted we should see this beautiful place of which she carries happy childhood memories.


To reach the village, you climb twisting mountain roads.


The village sits on top of a cliff rock formation.


Some buildings seem grow right out of the rock.


Back from the cliffs, there is a quiet main street,


an Ottoman vintage town hall,


boxes of apricots, oranges, zucchini, beans and other produce in front of small stores,


and a jumble of buildings old and new where the residents of Jezzine live.

The people of Jezzine are known for a unique craft, creating inlaid horn handles shaped like a bird's head. An old gentleman gave us a demonstration of this local art.


This was the old way of drilling. Nowadays, they use a drill press.


Here he has pushed the blue stone inlay into the hole drilled in the horn. He is cutting it off at the surface level. After the inlay is firmly in place, the whole will be sanded and polished smooth.


A letter opener handle, showing the distinctive long-beaked bird of Jezzine.