Report by Badawi Habak

Translation by Rasha Zantout


NNA – The town of Hadsheet is one of the villages of Bcharre Caza. It rises 1,350 meters above sea-level. Its name dates back to the times of the Pharaohs, one of the six gods or the new city.

7,475 people belong to Hadsheet. Some of them still live in the town, while others have made Australia, USA, Canada and South America their home.

The town is thought to have been an observation tower during Roman times for everyone passing through the sacred valley. Hadsheet, like other towns at the shoulder of the valley, has an abundance of churches and monasteries. Saint Romanos is the patron saint of the village. His anniversary is celebrated by his church every fourth of September. Other churches include the church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus.

The town of Hadsheet has thirteen monasteries all located within the valley. The monastery of Saint Antonio of Padua contained one of the largest libraries in Lebanon. The library was burnt during the times of the Mamluks.

At the hill of Mount Saint Elias there is a former shrine inside a cave. Recently the space was turned into an area for celebrations. Patriarch Beshara Rahi held in said space a celebration for religious upbringing, recently inaugurated by the Apostolic Nuncio in Lebanon.

The municipal council of Hadsheet is comprised of 15 members, headed by Elie Houmsy. The town has three village chiefs or Mukhtars.

Houmsy noted that the town extends geographically to the heart of Qadisha valley and all lands within these bounds are private property for the town’s people.

“Hadsheet Valley contains numerous archeological sites of a religious nature dating back to the 11th century,” noted Houmsy as he went on to describe the many developmental projects aimed at bettering the irrigation of crops as well as a four million dollar project to provide potable water to the people. He lauded the aid of Bcharre deputies Sethrida Geagea and Elie Kayrouze in said ventures.

The head of the municipality added that the town is working on bettering rural tourism. Houmsy is aiding in this by publishing a book about the history of Hadsheet, which includes all the notable archeological sites. The book is being written by a number of university professors, and will also focus on immigration from the town.

On April 11, 2015 the municipality decided to carry out cultural and touristic exchanges with the French town of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. A delegation from said town will arrive to Hadsheet in August of 2016 during the traditional festive season.

Hadsheet is famous for its vineyards in the Mount of Mar Elias. The grapes that grow there are very unique and known as “Halbouny.” The town’s people make Arak and wine from the grapes. Apples, pears, cherries and peaches also grow in the town.

What distinguishes Hadsheet from other towns is that over 300 families reside in it during winter time as well. These residents rely on agriculture with the aid of the municipality that works closely with the town’s expatriates in Sidney and Melbourne to help the town.

A potable water tank was built at the expense of one of Hadsheet’s sons, Gerges Saab.

Hadsheet’s public school offers education in both English and French. The town also has a school run by the nuns of Saint Teresa, as well as a technical school.

Various Christian missions offer social and spiritual help for the town’s people, such as the Brotherhood of the Heart of Jesus, and the Brotherhood of Immaculate Conception.

The town does not lack in patriotism. Around 400 of its sons are in the Lebanese Armed Forces, Internal Security Forces and General Security.

Men of culture and literature also abound in the town. Hadsheet is the town of Gustavo Khoury who built a hospital and university in his name abroad.