Jeita grotto (1)

1. Jeita Grotto مغارة جعيتا By Gena Khaled

2. Jeita Grotto is the longest cave in the Middle East and is a system of two separate limestone caves that are interconnected. Upper Jeita Lower Jeita

3. Where is it located? The caves are located in the Nahr al-Kalb valley (dog river) within the locality of  Jeita. It is 18 kilometers (11 mi) north of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

4. HISTORY OF THE GROTTO Reverend William Thompson, an American missionary, is credited with the modern discovery of the caves in 1836. Thompson is said to have advanced 50 meters 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 meters inside the grotto.

5. THE UPPER GROTTO The upper grotto features a large concentration of crystallized formations such as stalagmites, stalactites, ponds, mushrooms, columns, curtains and draperies. White Chamber Red Chamber Tall Chamber

6. THE LOWER GROTTO A tour of the lower grotto involves a 1650ft (500m) electric boat trip along a subterranean, black lake.

7. The Jeita cave emits a spring providing fresh drinking water t the people of Beirut. Water pollution, due to domestic and agricultural runoff remains a concern as an increase of bacteria has been found.

8. The Beauty of Jeita In 2008 Jeita Grotto was a candidate for the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition. It was selected as a finalist and the only cave selected amongst the nominees. In 2011 Jeita was no longer on the list.

9. JEITA GROTTO RECREATION Jeita Grotto is a major tourist attraction in Lebanon. It provides full time jobs for 115 residents and approximately 280,000 people visit it each year.

10. FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.JEITAGROTTO.COM