Report : Amina El Touyni
Translated by: Lina Yehya Reidan
Kasarnaba is a town in Békaa area, located at the shoulder of the Western Lebanese Mountain range, just to the East of Mount Sanine, overlooking the central parts of Békaa valley.
Kasarnaba, an area of 6234956 m2, is 65 Km away from the capital Beirut, 25 Km away from Baalbeck city and 15 Km away from Zahlé. It lies at an altitude of 1250m.
The naming
Kasarnaba was derived from Nabo Palace according to the Lebanese cities and village's dictionary. Nabo is the name of an old Ashourian god and is carved on a rock in the village's castle. Nabo is a popular proper noun in Lebanon and one of the few Phoenician names which are still used in the country.
Romanian ruins
Kasarnaba is classified by the Ministry of Tourism as a tourism town. It boasts a magnificent Roman Temple, which ranks second in Lebanon after Baalbeck, with regard to its size, construction, building blocks, columns shape and statues.
The Directorate General of Ruins executed some restoration works at the Temple. Archeologist engineer Mergrlian, who excavated and discovered the Temple, said that it consisted of many levels and that the top level was disclosed only.
Some say that the Temple extends under the whole village.
Al Maqtaa
In addition to the Roman Temple, "Al Maqtaa" known as "Nonyanous" is also found in Kasarnaba. "Al Maqtaa" is a stone quarry from which the stones, used in building the Temple, were cut. However, how the stones were moved from the quarry to the Temple remains a mystery.
This magnificent ancient Temple, which lies at a wonderful spot about 1,000m away from the village, has a special tourism significance.
Kasarnaba population
Kasarnaba population is about six thousand (6,000) persons. People in the village are traditionally farmers famous for growing vineyards and wild rose flowers for rosewater extraction, in addition to many other traditional Horticultural crops.
Municipality Council
Kasarnaba Municipality Council consists of 12 members presided nowadays by Abdel Kassem Al Dirani. The council worked since its election in 2004 on developing the village on all levels.
Kasarnaba products
Kasarnaba is famous for its traditional practices. Growing vineyards constitutes 30% of the agricultural lands, while as wild rose flowers used for rosewater extraction consume 20% of the lands, in addition to tobacco and many other traditional horticultural crops.
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