The village of Douma has been named among the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2023.
As the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced, the Best Tourism Villages 2023 list recognizes the villages leading in “nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.”
Launched in 2021, the villages are evaluated based on nine key features, including Cultural and Natural Resources, Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources, Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration, Governance and Prioritization of Tourism, Infrastructure and Connectivity, and Health, Safety, and Security.
Douma is a Lebanese village located at an altitude of 1150 m. It is 80 km from Beirut, 30 km from Jbeil. Douma is a part of Batroun district and is known for its special location in a valley surrounded by mountains. Almost all its houses are made of red bricks. It enjoys a unique temperate climate. Its ground is rich and welcomes all sorts of plants especially and has an abundance olive trees, grapevines and apple trees.
Douma’s strategic location turned the town into compass that guided convoys through what was known as “Al Sham road” connecting Syria to Douma via Baalbek and Hermel, towards the coastline. The movement of convoys was accompanied by opening of a market called “El Bendr” that had a significant role in strengthening the town’s economy. Douma’s geographic location made the town a passageway for the transport of Cedars tree trunks to the coast, where the Phoenicians used them to build ships.
During the Greek and Roman eras, it witnessed a prosperous period accompanied by the construction of many places of worship. One of these is the Asclapeo temple, stones of which were later used in building a church named after St Dumyat. The lantern of the temple’s priest, Asclapeos, is at the entrance of the old market. Legend has it that “Jawar Al Khayl” (the neighborhood of horses) was named following an incident when a Turkish envoy and his forty soldiers, who came to collect taxes, were poisoned during a dinner banquet and buried in that area with their horses after the envoy insisted on taking the Sheikh of Douma’s daughter as his wife.
Douma witnessed a remarkable social, industrial and economic rise between 1881 and 1914 known as its golden age.
In the town square sits a 4th-century A.D. sarcophagus, bearing a Greek inscription recording that this was the burial place of Castor, who died in 317 A.D.
The Hamade in the early 1700s brought Christians to the town, in hope of getting better crop and thus better taxes. Since then the village has become a Christian village, with most of its believers members of the Greek Orthodox Church.
The name Douma is of Greek origin meaning “house”, “palace” or “castle”. Douma is also named “Douma El Hadid” (Douma of Iron or Iron-Douma) due to the abundance of iron found it its soil and the superior craftsmanship of its blacksmiths. The arming industry established under Ibrahimn Basha’s regime encouraged many people from Showeir to come and settle in Douma since opportunities of work were plentiful at the time.
The majority of the infrastructure and housing in Douma was built between 1881 and 1914. This was the golden age in the life of Douma financed by the money sent by emigrants in Brazil, Argentina and the USA.
10 things to do in Douma
Sarcophagus:
In the town square sits a 4th-century A.D. sarcophagus, bearing a Greek inscription recording that this was the burial place of Castor, who died in 317 A.D.
Heritage museum:
The artisan museum (Mathaf Douma al Asari), is located near the historical Souk and showcases the history of Douma through time. Pictures of immigrants from Douma, local handicrafts, traditional artisan works, and stage clothes and accessories once used in Douma famous theater.
Local products:
Douma is famous for its local Halawa, and Rahet el Halkoum ( Turkish delights) and Zahlawi ice cream.
The Souk:
Douma is famous for its old souk that has well preserved its traditional cachet. The small souk in the middle of the town offers various shops selling local and artisanal crafts and inexpensive goods. Read more
Traditional Lebanese house:
The majority of the infrastructure and housing in Douma was built between 1881 and 1914. In Douma, you find around 300 Typical Lebanese Houses.
Enjoy local food at Diwan el Beik:
One of the best experiene in Douma is to eat local food at Diwan el Beik guesthouse and Table d”hote. Mrs Safa a charming lady from Douma, is the owner of Diwan el Beik Bed and Breakfast
One of the main highlights of this B&B is Safa’s fabulous cuisine! Her cooking traditionnal recipes are all inherited from her mother. Ask Safa for the local dishes (Amhiyet, Keshek, Majadarat Fassouliya..) and also local jams that she prepares herselve. “
At Safa’s Bed and Breakfast, you will experience the essence of a home in the village.
Its terrace, shaded by a walnut tree, is the perfect spot to lay down for a relaxing afternoon nap in late summer, while Safa, the owner, prepares the meal.
You can either stay at Diwan el Beik guesthouse or just have your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
FOR RESERVATION CALL 70 412898
Stone Cellar (Tel: 71 283 485)
Diwan el Beik (Tel 70 412898)
Douma Hotel (Tel: 06 520202)
Douma offers several dining options, but Mrs Safa from Diwan el Beik Guesthouse and restaurant is the one you should visit for the best local food (Amhiyet, Keshek, Majadarat Fassouliya..). Call in advance (Tel 70 412898)
Chalhoub restaurant, Tel:03 372 537
Escalpio restaurant, Tel: 06 520 520
Zahlawi Ice Cream Tel: 06-520717
Nearby attraction
Bchaaleh Olive trees:
“Sisters” or the Olive trees of Noah, are among the oldest olive trees in the world found in the community of Bechealeh, Lebanon. Some 6,000 years old, historians say these have Biblical origins. Read more
Tannourine Cedars reserve:
The Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve protects one of the largest and densest cedar forests in Lebanon. Eighty percent of the trees in the forest are cedars. Read more
Balaa Pothole:
Baatara gorge waterfall (Balaa gorge waterfall) is a waterfall in the Tannourine, Lebanon. The waterfall drops 255 metres (837 ft) into the Baatara Pothole, a cave of Jurassic limestone located on the Lebanon Mountain Trail. Read more
Assia Pottery:
Assia is known for its traditional practice of pottery characterized by its shape and reddish color. A tradition that had perpetuated from generation to another, it is 100% handmade, meaning not a single machine is used, not even a turntable.
Sana Jabbour phone nbr: 961 3 630626. Read more
Tannourine el Tahta Rock climbing:
Tannourine el Tahta is the ideal place in Lebanon for professional and beginner climbers for many reasons; ideal topography, suave climate with moderate weather and mostly a warm reception by the locals. Read more
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