Photo by: Conrad Lau

“For a long time, agriculture has been the main source of revenue for the villagers”, explains the mayor Antoine Chemaly, “they used to produce vegetables, fruits, and olives. You must know that Daraoun earned its name since more than 500 years, but people have lived here since the Phoenician era.”

One of the oldest and best conserved buildings in the village dates from the XVIII century. The Count Hosn de Khazen was its owner. He earned his nobleness title from Louis XIV. Surrounded by immense gardens, it is now owned by Fadi Chayad who completely restructured it. A few months ago, he has been organizing social events in it, especially marriages. “It is going on very well”, he says, “The environment totally seduces many people”. Located in the heart of nature, and endowed with an incredible view of the Mediterranean coast, this place is full of assets to young couples who have the means: 4000 dollars for a location in one night.

But even though the view’s beauty attracts lovers and tourists, they do not come only because of it, for Daraoun is the paradise of nature’s passionates, the paradise of publishers. This region is also known as “The Middle Eastern Vatican”. At almost 10 kilometers, there are at least 18 churches and 10 convents.

All the catholic obediences settle in this region: Latins, Franciscans, Syriacs, Catholics, Maronites, and Roman Catholics. The first convent, St Joseph al Harf, opened its doors in 1765. Afterwards, Antoine de Padova convent was inaugurated. Then Saint-Paul convent was also opened. Nowadays, almost sixty religions reside in the confines of this village, and one hotel has even been specialized in the reception of pilgrims. “We have decided to settle down here because we are in the middle of a Christian region, and especially because it is a very beautiful place. We have simply chosen the best area”, said his lordship Gabriel Dib, the 68-year-old superior in the seminar of Charfeh's Syriac convent.

Ralph, a student at Jbeil University, thanks the church for loving his little village. “Thanks to all the monuments in our village, we welcome lots of visitors, and this allows us to establish new relations. Nowadays, I have friends in the four corners of the planet”. He will be visiting the United-States very soon, but at first, he has to finish his graphic design studies and step into the labor world. Just like his parents, he is going to be a publisher.