Batroun, a coastal city, 50 km north of Beirut and 29 km south of Tripoli. It stretches from sea level to an altitude of 200 m. it is well known for its delicious lemonade juice, as lemon orchards spread all over the area.

One of the features of Batroun is St-Stephan’s Cathedral (Mar Estephan), considered to be among the biggest in Lebanon. It overlooks the town harbor and is characterized by a mixed architectural pattern, which is Byzantino-Roman. It was built at the site of an old church and its construction was completed around 1910. As for St-George (Mar Gerges), it was built according to Byzantine style with a remarkable dome and was completed in August 1867. There are two old churches: The church of the “market place” (Saydet al Saha, 1898) and the church of the “Sea Lady” (Saydet el baher, 19th century). In the latter four icons are painted with gold water and date back to 1863.
In the area known as “ Kfarkhellos” we can find “Mar Sassin’s” church, which dates back to early Christianity (between 6th and 7th century). Next to it is a sarcophagus. We can also find in the city the Batroun Mosque (1955).

In the old streets of Batroun, a Phoenician fortress (Al kalaa’) from the ninth century B.C. was demolished by an earthquake on the 9th July 551 A.D. It was re-constructed by the inhabitants of Batroun, as it is known today. The Romans excavated, a theatre from which only eleven steps remain.This reveals the cultural and artistic importance that Batroun enjoyed at the time.

To the west of Batroun is a wall (As-Sour) made of solid sandstone, sculpted by its inhabitants over 2000 years ago. people carried stones from its surrouding areas to build temples, houses, churches, inns, hotels, schools and even walls to separate properties. The remainder of the wall extends over 225 meters in length, rises about five meters in height and stretches in width about one meter on the top. In Batroun there are several old streets making up the present marketplace, built up of Batrouni

sandstone, and taking the forms of (intersection) ribbed vaults or semi-circular vaults that render it one of the most wonderful marketplaces in Lebanon. It was constructed thanks to contributions. Some old crafts are still practiced by tailors, cobblers and blacksmiths. Tourists abound in Batroun: some are at the seaside, some are inland on an overlooking hill, all

equipped for hotel services. Rocky and newly built sand beaches also spread within seaside resorts, in addition to swimming
pools. A lot of activities can be practiced: windsurfing, rowing, water-biking, jet skiing…
Furthermore, a variety of sports can be practiced within resorts where gyms are equipped with the most modern machines in addition to other activities like tennis, basket-ball, swimming in heated pools (indoors), horse riding, etc.

Batroun is also known for its port, since fishing has been for many years the main source of income for its citizens. During that time they became also famous for their sponges. As for the restaurants, they offer seafood, Lebanese mezze, and dishes from western cuisines, etc…

Nightlife has been recently very active with the proliferation of high-tech nightclubs, new pubs within sandy-vault buildings and in old houses. Those who are fond of parties, can eat, dance and stay up late at night. In addition, an artistic and song festival is celebrated in summer.