5/5 Blue Sea B. 1 year ago on Google
Jeita
Grotto,
the
longest
cave
in
the
Middle
East,
is
situated
approximately
11
miles
(18km)
north
of
Beirut.
It
consists
of
two
separate,
but
interconnected,
limestone
caves,
and
boasts
a
length
of
5.6
miles
(9km).
One
of
the
worlds
most
amazing
agglomerations
of
stalactites
and
stalagmites,
Jeita
Grotto
is
widely
considered
to
be
the
pride
of
Lebanon,
and
featured
as
a
finalist
in
the
New
7
Wonders
of
Nature
competition.
The
caves
were
inhabited
by
prehistoric
man,
with
evidence
suggesting
that
they
were
previously
used
to
produce
swords.
Reverend
William
Thompson,
an
American
missionary,
is
credited
with
the
modern
discovery
of
the
caves
in
1836.
Thompson
is
said
to
have
advanced
50
metres
into
the
caves
before
firing
his
gun.
The
resultant
echoes
assured
him
that
the
caves
were
to
be
of
significant
importance.
Jeita
Grotto
was
not
explored
further
until
the
1870’s,
when
Maxwell
and
Huxley
of
the
Beirut
Water
Company
carried
out
extensive
expeditions
of
the
caves,
reaching
1060
metres
inside
the
grotto.
Lebanese
explorers
have
ventured
deeper
into
the
cave
since
the
1940’s,
and
have
so
far
exposed
5.6mi
(9km)
of
the
Jeita
Grotto.
The
caves
were
initially
known
as
the
Grottoes
of
Nahr
al-Kalb,
after
the
underground
river
that
runs
through
the
grottoes.
Several
names
were
subsequently
used,
including
Djaita,
Jehita,
and
finally,
Jeita.
Jeita
is
derived
from
the
town
in
which
the
caves
entrance
is
situated,
and
is
loosely
translated
in
Aramaic
as
the
‘roar’
or
‘noise’
of
water.
A
tour
of
the
lower
grotto
involves
a
1650ft
(500m)
electric
boat
trip
along
a
subterranean,
black
lake.
At
first,
you
are
met
with
resonant
sounds
of
rushing
water
and
cool
air
but,
as
the
boat
ventures
further
into
the
cave,
profound
silence
is
experienced.
The
boat
tour
provides
a
marvellous
sample
of
the
enormous
20,300ft
(6200m)
lower
grotto.
The
experienced
is
enhanced
by
a
lighting
system
which
illuminates
the
columns
and
structures
within.
Unlike
the
lower
grotto,
the
upper
grotto
can
be
visited
on
foot.
Access
is
via
a
specially
conceived
384ft
(117m)
long
concrete
walkway.
Only
2460ft
(750m)
of
the
6990ft
(2130m)
cave
is
accessible
for
visitors.
The
upper
grotto
features
a
large
concentration
of
crystallized
formations
such
as
stalagmites,
stalactites,
ponds,
mushrooms,
columns,
curtains
and
draperies.
Three
chambers
are
accessible
to
visitors.
The
first
is
the
white
chamber,
which
features
the
caves
most
impressive
formations.
It
is
home
to
the
worlds
longest
stalactite,
which
measures
27ft
(8.2m)
in
length.
The
second
is
the
red
chamber,
which
is
named
due
to
its
colour.
The
red
chamber
towers
to
106m
(348ft)
high,
and
is
between
98ft
(30m)
to
160ft
(50m)
wide.
The
third
chamber
is
the
highest
of
the
three,
at
a
height
of
390ft
(120m).
The
best
way
to
get
to
Jeita
Grotto
is
to
drive
from
Beirut.
The
caves
are
only
11
miles
(18
km)
north
of
Beirut.
Another
option
would
be
to
take
a
minibus
from
Dawra
to
the
Jeita
turn-off
on
the
Beirut-Jounieh
highway.
Here,
there
are
taxis
waiting
who
can
take
you
the
remaining
3
miles
(5km)
to
Jeita
Grotto.
Alternatively,
you
can
take
a
taxi
directly
from
Beirut.
The
caves
are
open
for
the
vast
majority
of
the
year,
every
day
of
the
week
apart
from
Monday.
Opening
hours
vary
depending
on
the
time
of
year,
thus,
it
is
advised
to
check
the
official
website
prior
to
organising
your
trip.
Each
year,
the
caves
close
for
around
4
weeks
from
late
January
until
early
February.
During
winter,
the
lower
grotto
is
often
closed
when
the
water
level
becomes
too
high.
The
temperature
in
the
caves
remains
constant
at
61
degrees
Fahrenheit
(16
degrees
Celcius)
throughout
the
year.
