Harissa

[Lebanese_dream]

Our Lady of Lebanon

Harissa (Arabic حريصا) is an important Lebanese pilgrimage site high above Jounieh, located at 650 meters altitude from the coast and 20km distance from Beirut the capital city; the site is accessible either by a steep winding road or a nine-minute journey by a gondola lift, known as the "Téléférique". It attracts both pilgrims as other tourists who want to enjoy views of Jounieh.

The main site is a huge 15 tonne bronze (and painted white) statue of Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of Lebanon or Notre Dame du Liban/Harissa or Our Virgin of Lebanon, with her arms outstretched. The statue was made at the end of the 19th century and inaugurated in 1908. Inside the statue's base there is a small chapel. A huge modernistic Maronite cathedral built of concrete and glass stands right beside the statue.

Among other churches of various denominations it is worth to mention a Byzantine-style, Melkite Greek Catholic basilica of St. Paul, located south of the statue and built between 1947 and 1962. The Papal Embassy as well as the residences of four Eastern Catholic cardinals church are in the vicinity of Harissa and Our Lady of Lebanon.[1]

On May 10, 1997, Pope John Paul II visited Harissa.

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What do you think of Harissa? How often do you go there?

[Cheekie]

Harissa is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Lebanon and one of my personal favourite havens. When I was in Lebanon in 2005 I visited her like 7 times, I never get bored of the scenary, the church or walking up the stairs.

The most exciting part of Harissa is when I am in the bus coming from North Lebanon to Jounieh and I see Her standing above the city looking down, I feel my heart flutter with excitement.

I recommend everyone visit Harissa when they are in Lebanon for what you experience is amazing.

[Order]

one of my favorite places in lebanon where you can find the peace of soal and mind
used to visit it every year during the virgin month (shaher l 3adra) and we usualy had camps their with the scouts
and everytime i go back to lebanon i go visit harissa
a link i don't think ti's official http://www.harissa.info/

[Claudia]

Everytime I go to Lebanon I visit Harissa. One of the times I was there I felt such Peace inside myself I didn't want to go away!
I don't have doubts that Harissa is a place of God.

Remember what Vassula told once! She said she had already visited fifty-five countries and everywhere she has seen the power of the Lord, and she added: "but not as strongly as in Lebanon."

[basma88]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Lebanese_dream

[

I have many photos there.....

What do you think of Harissa? How often do you go there?

Harissa is a wonderful place..I've visited it more than 9 times...And for sure I will go there in my next visit to lebanon....
It's really beatiful there..especially when you are in the telefric...(what a scene ).....And when you reach to the place of virgin mary;And you look to the city from there....wow....And sure the statue of virgin Mary is very beatiful too....

[Faithful]

Harissa is one of my favorite places in Lebanon. I like to go there a lot. It's a holy place and a great place for meditation. I always feel peace ans joy when i go there.
I most like the little and old church, i can stand hours there for praying. Sometimes i just walk there looking around me, watching the sea and the mountains. Looking at Mary and see how beautiful she is and how she is standing there 3ala rass al jabal, always having an eye on Lebanon, always protecting us.

[CedarJet]

Visiting Saydit Harrissa is surely amongst the top places to visit in lebanon. I grew up at the bottom of those foothills, where i wake up everyday and look outside my bedroom window and clearly see the statue of Saydit Harrissa.

To add the very first description, the road to Harrissa is now imporved with the completion of the highway.

[WiseCookie]

I just like to imagine how visiting Harissa back in 1908 must have been like a true pilgrimage. It would have probably taken pilgrims days if not weeks to get there.

[Lebanese_dream]

What you are missing ..... Looking at Jounieh from Harissa...

[Diam'S]

Guys,I am from harissa and I live there too,my home is about 3min far from the sanctuary,it's a great place and i recommand all of you to visit it...