The legendary combat
A representation of a hunting scene This site consists of a large rock adorned with three reliefs representing a hunting scene that may be associated with the legend of Adonis. At the foot of the rock is an underground tomb dating back to Roman times. One rock face shows a hunter with a spear in his hand facing an animal about to pounce on him.
A seated woman in a medallion to the right is shown weeping with her head resting on her hand. Another rock face at right angles to the first shows a hunter holding a spear and accompanied by two dogs.
The French archaeologist and orientalist Ernest Renan linked these reliefs to the legend of Adonis, who appears fighting a wild boar, and next to him a sitting woman crying, representing the goddess Astarte. As for the archaeologist Henri Seyrig, he attributed these reliefs to the Greco-Roman period, representing a hunter killing a bear standing on its feet. The struggle must have ended with the death of both hunter and the bear.
Quick overview
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Opening days
Open daily
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Opening times
All day
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How to reach
By car/bus:
From Beirut Airport by private transportation to Ghineh. The total distance is approximately 44 km. - Web
Services
1 hotel
2 small restaurants
2 bakeries
Additional Info
Jabal Moussa Biosphere reserve entrance fee:
4 USD adults over 16
2 USD children under 16
Please gear up with hiking shoes, hiking stick (optional), backpack, energy bars, 1L of water/person, sunscreen.
Make sure to inform us in advance if you have a health condition
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
Visiting Rules
Basic rules:
No hunting
No picking flowers and plants
No smoking or lighting fires
No pets