Jouar El-Matn -The Beautiful Village
Jouar is a small village that has managed to preserve its traditional charm despite the rapid modernization of the country. As you enter the village, you are immediately greeted by the sight of brick roof and stone houses that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
The village of Jouar, also known as "The Heaven on Earth," is located in El-Matn Echimaly, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon. Nestled on the main route to Bteghrine Baskinta, between Chrine, Chouweir, and Khenchara, it is 27 kilometers (16.8 miles) northeast of Beirut. This community, which is roughly 0.96 square kilometers (0.371 square miles), is well-known for its pine trees, talented stone masons, and traditional red-roofed brick homes.
The village also has a strong sense of community. Everyone knows each other, and there is a strong bond among the villagers. It's heartwarming to see how they come together to celebrate festivals and support each other during tough times. In Jouar El Main, you are not just a resident; you are part of a big family.
Jouar is located near Khenchara, the home of the Roman Catholic Melkite, where you may visit the 18th-century church of Saint Nicolas with its wooden iconostasis, as well as the Monastery of St. John or Deir et-Tabcheh, which was built between 1696 and 1697. The monastery also host the first Arabic printing press in the Middle East, which appeared in 1734, as well as a superb library and a beautiful collection of icons. The antique presses, together with over 450 associated items and pieces of equipment, are on show in a five-room museum. Abdallah el-Zakher, an Aleppo native, founded the press and constructed the earliest machine between 1726 and 1733.