10+ Amazing Facts About Jeita Grotto, Lebanon’s Natural Wonder of The World
Welcome to our list of amazing facts about Jeita Grotto, Lebanon’s natural wonder of the world!
The Jeita Grotto is one of the most beautiful and unique caves in the world. Located in Lebanon, the Jeita Grotto is a series of caves that are connected by an underground river. The caves are decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, and the river is so clear that visitors can see fish swimming beneath the surface. The Jeita Grotto is also home to a variety of bats. In addition to its natural beauty, the Jeita Grotto has significance for Lebanese culture and history, with prehistoric roots. Today, it is one of Lebanon's most popular tourist attractions, and it was even nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature. The Jeita Grotto is a truly remarkable place, and it is well worth a visit if you ever have the chance.
Now, without further ado, let’s check out these fascinating facts about the Jeita Grotto in Lebanon!
Incredible Facts About Jeita Grotto
1. Jeita Grotto is big…very big
The Jeita Grotto is at least 9 kilometers long, making it the longest cave complex in the entire middle east. As you walk around in it, you’ll find the interior is spacious and you feel as though you could walk endlessly through the caverns; however, much of the Grotto Jeita is off-limits to the average tourist due to safety reasons.
2. It’s set other records, too!
Lebanese speleologists discovered the upper galleries in the late 50s, which house the world’s largest stalactites (the formations that hang from the ceilings of caves). This also gives some indication of how old the cave is considering that stalactites are extremely slow-growing.
3. It was once a foundry
In a smaller cave near the Nahr al-Kalb River (the same river that flows through the Jeita Grotto), remnants of an ancient foundry — a factory for producing metal castings — leading archaeologists to believe that the Jeita Grotto served a similar function and was used in antiquity to produce swords and other weaponry.
4. It was rediscovered in modern times
The modern rediscovery of the underground river of Jeita in 1836 is credited to an American missionary, who went about 50 meters into the cave before discharging his gun. After hearing echoes from the gunshot, he was certain the cavern was something extraordinary.
5. Jeita Grotto has an even older past
Jeita Grotto has an Upper Paleolithic level, where Neolithic pieces, burned bones, end scrapers, and primitive potsherds were found — similar to some of the finds of Byblos. Additionally, hearths, bones, arrowheads, and a large number of flint tools dating back to the Aurignacian period were found in the Jeita Grotto.
6. The Jeita caves took a long time to form
As mentioned before when talking about the stalactites found in the Grotto Jeita, this cave system is incredibly old. The grotto is composed of solutional karst caves, which formed over millions of years due to the dissolution of limestone.
7. It was close to being the 8th Natural Wonder of The World
This natural landmark in Lebanon was one of the top 14 finalists in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition, which is why the Jeita Grotto is often called the 8th Natural Wonder of The World.
8. Jeita was used once again during the Lebanese Civil War
Jeita Grotto was used to store weapons and equipment during the Lebanese Civil War, a period in which it was closed for. In a twist of irony, it seems that the caverns, once used as a foundry, returned to their original purpose for a moment.
9. Jeita Grotto was called by another name
The Jeita Grotto was first known as the Grottoes of Nahr El Kalb; however, Jeita Grotto stuck after the newspapers continued to refer to this Lebanese landmark as such.
10. Jeita Grotto has a few rules to know before you go
The Jeita Grotto is open every day except for Monday from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. Due to weather conditions, the lower grotto is closed for a few additional days in the winter. The tour of both grottoes typically takes about two hours altogether. Technically, you are not supposed to take pictures when you go; however, doing so does not cause any damage to the cave and it is possible to snap a few pics with a little communication between yourself and the workers. The reason for this no-picture policy is to ensure the safety of visitors — a legitimate concern, given the depth of the caves and potential danger in certain parts of the caverns. Wear non-slip shoes and stay on the path.
11. The Jeita Grotto is made up of two caves
As you most likely already figured out, the Jeita Grotto is actually a system of two connected caves — the Upper and Lower Grotto.
People Also Ask These Questions About Jeita Grotto
How much does it cost to tour the Jeita Grotto?
Touring the Jeita Grotto is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Lebanon. The grotto, which is located just outside of Beirut, is composed of two caverns – the Upper Grotto and the Lower Grotto. The Upper Grotto, which is accessible by boat, features a stunning display of stalactites and stalagmites. The Lower Grotto, meanwhile, can be reached by cable car or by foot. It features an underground waterfall, as well as a series of fascinating rock formations. Tours of the Jeita Grotto typically last around two hours, and tickets can be purchased at the entrance for $10 per adult and $5 per child.
Is the Jeita Grotto worth visiting?
The Jeita Grotto is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lebanon. Located just north of Beirut, the grotto is a series of natural caves that have been formed by the action of water over time. The caves are impressively large, and they are filled with a variety of stalactites and stalagmites. In addition, the temperature inside the caves is much cooler than outside, making them a refreshing escape from the heat of the Lebanese summer. The Jeita Grotto is also home to a number of rare species of bats, making it a popular destination for nature lovers. Overall, the Jeita Grotto is definitely worth visiting if you are in Lebanon.
What is near the Jeita Grotto?
The Jeita Grotto is most notably near Harissa and its famous statue. Additionally, the Jeita Grotto is close to Byblos and the Casino du Liban.