On mountaintops where mist embraces the trees and the breeze whispers to the rocks, stand trees unlike any others…
They are the Cedars of Lebanon, or as they are known deep in the soul, the “Cedars of the Lord”—symbols of eternity, pride, and the ever-flying banner of the homeland.
The cedar is not just a tree…
It is a living being that stores in its trunk the memory of thousands of years, speaks a language of silence, and bears witness to human history since the dawn of time.
A Tree Thousands of Years Old!
In northern Lebanon, specifically in the region of Bsharri, lies the Forest of the Cedars of God—one of the oldest forests in the world.
It is home to trees estimated to be between six and seven thousand years old, making them living witnesses to ages predating writing itself—survivors of time and human hands.
Wandering through this silent forest feels like walking through an open-air natural museum, where every trunk tells a story, every branch seems to hold a prayer, and every breeze carries an echo from vanished civilizations still whispered by the trees.
Cedars in History and Sacred Texts
The Phoenicians used cedarwood to build their ships that sailed the Mediterranean, as well as temples and palaces.
Lebanon’s cedar is mentioned more than 70 times in the Bible, where it is revered as a symbol of strength, purity, and greatness.
According to legend, the prophet Noah built the Ark from cedarwood, and Joseph the Carpenter crafted a
cradle from it for the infant Jesus.
Recognizing the sacredness of this tree, Lebanon raised it on its national flag—turning it into a symbol of identity and continuity.
For there can be no homeland without roots, and no dignity without green pride.
The Shouf Cedar Reserve… The Beating Heart of the Cedars!
No tale of the cedars is complete without mentioning the Shouf Cedar Reserve, located in Mount Lebanon.
It is the largest nature reserve in Lebanon, and one of the biggest in the Middle East, spanning nearly 50,000 hectares.
The reserve includes three main cedar forests:
- Barouk Cedar Forest.
- Maasser El Shouf.
- Ain Zhalta – Bmohray.
Some of its trees are more than 2,000 years old, and the reserve hosts over 520 species of plants, along with rare animals and migratory birds—creating a vibrant ecosystem, a glimpse of paradise for those who know how to see.
The reserve is not just a sanctuary for nature; it is a living model of sustainable development, supporting over 70,000 people in its surrounding villages through ecological, cultural, and eco-tourism interactions.
An Invitation to Breathe and Reflect
To every seeker of meaning in nature’s silence…
To every lover of heritage and identity…
To every soul yearning to see the majesty of creation in the simplicity of a branch…
We invite you to visit Lebanon’s majestic cedar forests:
- Cedars of God – Bsharri.
- Shouf Biosphere Reserve.
- Tannourine Cedar Forest.
- Cedars of Hadchit and Ain Zhalta.
These are destinations both earthly and celestial.
Wander through sacred groves, inhale pure air infused with the scent of eternity, and touch a trunk that may have heard a prophet’s voice or trembled under the feet of ancient civilizations.
A Final Plea!
The cedar asks for nothing…
Only that we protect it, respect it, and pass its legacy to future generations.
It is not only Lebanon’s treasure, but humanity’s heritage.
If a nation is measured by its beauty, then Lebanon is measured by its cedars.
Will we cherish and preserve them, as one would a sacred treasure?