Jeita Grotto – Lebanon

Amazing Natural Wonders

The Jeita grotto is two separate but interconnected limestone caves spanning an overall length of 9 km. The caves are situated in the Nahr-Al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, 18km north of Beirut. Though inhabited in prehistoric times, the lower cave was not discovered until 1836 by Rev. William Thompson. It can be visited by boat & its channels and Underground River provides fresh drinking water to more than million Lebanese. In 1958, Lebanese speleologists discovered the upper galleries 60m above the lower cave which have been accommodated with an access tunnel and a series of walkways to enable tourist’s safe access without disturbing the natural landscape. The upper galleries house the world’s largest stalactite. The galleries are composed of series of chambers the largest of which peaks at a height of 120m. Jeita Grotto plays a vital socio-economic & cultural role. It’s a finalist in the new 7 Wonders of Nature competition.

The Jeita upper cave has an overall length of 2130m of which 750m are accessible to visitors via specially conceived walkway; access to the remainder of the cave is restricted to prevent ecological damage which may occur due to flocking tourists. The upper cave consist a great concentration of a variety of crystallized formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, mushrooms, ponds, curtains & draperies. The upper gallery is famous for its formations, lit by effective lighting systems. It is entered through 117m long concrete tunnel. The part accessible by visitors has three huge chambers. First white chamber second is Red due to the color of formations. White dripstones are pure calcite without defilement; the red color is given by red oxide in small amount. The white chamber is medium sized, but has the most impressive formations of the cave; the Red chamber is 106 m high & 30-50m wide. The third chamber is biggest of all the threes &has a height of almost 120m. the longest stalactite in the world is located in jeita’s white chamber; measures 8.2m

The lower gallery which has an overall length of 6200m is located 60m below upper gallery. It is traversed by smooth underwater river & lake (the “Dark Lake”). The river is broken up by several small cataracts & rapids. The lower cave’s “Thompson’s Cavern” is a massive hall with a impressive speleothemes such as Eagle Obelisk stalagmite. Other halls in the lower gallery include Pantheon , grand chaos, & Shangri-La. Visitors are transported in lower gallery by electric boats for a distance of 500m. in winter the lower level is closed, when water level is too high.

In 1961, Jeita became national symbol when Lebanese authorities issued a stamp to promote tourism. 

for more audio visual stuff do check out YouTube channel : Exotic Vacations