Written by Badwi Habak
Translated by Daisy Khalil
NNA - Hasroun is a beautiful mountain village overlooking the holy valley of Qannoubine. It is located 1420 meters above the valley which spreads over its surroundings the smell of holiness and sanctity.
Hasroun, aka "The Rose of the Mountain", is bordered by the village of Hadshit and Qannoubine valley to the north, Bazoun to the east, Tannourine and Hadath el-Jebbé to the south and Diman to the west.
Its thousand houses are located in a beautiful natural setting formed by hills that surround the village from all sides.
These houses have preserved their traditional Lebanese appearance characterized by stones and red bricks.
The people of Hasroun outnumber 10000, among them 400 voters. Over 35000 are emigrants from the region. The largest Diaspora that is still in contact with the village lives in Australia. The village's number of inhabitants drops in winter and doubles again in the summer for weather-related reasons.
'Hasroun' is a Phoenician name that means a place surrounded and well strengthened, and this applies to the village which is bordered by a natural wall of mountains.
The village has given to the world an incomparable number of bishops and priests including Bishop Jean Hawchab el Hasrouni, Bishop Mikael Saade, Mgr. Yacoub Awwad and others.
Archaeological sites in the village are numerous. It is characterized by a large number of monasteries including churches and caves. Hasroun contains the oldest souk in the region. In terms of agriculture, the village is known for growing apples, pears, plums, apricots, pomegranates, cherries and hazelnuts.
At the industrial level, Hasroun includes several pumice and wrought iron plants.
When it comes to tourism, the village embraces many hotels, restaurants and cafes that draw tourists seeking calm and beauty.
Many water fountains characterize Hasroun, among them Ghrakia which is known to be a water that cures kidney diseases.
Socially and culturally, the village has a number of clubs as well as social, cultural and spiritual associations. Schools are also numerous in the town.
Hasroun recently boomed in the field of construction and its municipal council realized a number of projects which reduced the rural exodus to the city.
Hasroun deserves its nickname "The Rose of the Mountain" as its fragrance spreads across all the surrounding villages and in different Lebanese regions.
==========D.K.
