Kadisha Valley
Kadisha Valley (Arabic: وادي قاديشا), also romanized as the Qadisha Valley and also known as the Kadisha Gorge or Wadi Kadisha (French: Ouadi Qadisha), is a gorge that lies within the Bsharri and Zgharta Districts of the North Governorate of Lebanon. The valley was carved by the Kadisha River, also known as the Nahr Abu Ali when it reaches Tripoli. Kadisha means "Holy" in Aramaic, and the valley is sometimes called the Holy Valley. It has sheltered Christian monastic communities for many centuries. The valley is located at the foot of Mount al-Makmal in northern Lebanon.
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
| Location | North Governorate, Lebanon |
| Part of | Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab) Bsharri |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii)(iv) |
| Reference | 850-001 |
| Inscription | 1998 (22nd Session) |
| Coordinates | 34°15′N 35°57′E |
Location of Kadisha Valley in Lebanon Kadisha Valley (West and Central Asia) | |
The integrity of the valley is at risk because of encroachment of human settlements, illegal building, and inconsistent conservation activity. Although it is not yet on the UNESCO "in danger" list, there have been warnings that continued violations may lead to this step.