Monastery of Our Lady of Hawqa

Saydet Hawqa

Useful Information

Location:	Between Qannubin and Qozhaya Monasteries, Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley).
Open:	All year daily. [2020]
Fee:	free, donations welcome. [2020]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	natural/candles
Dimension:	A=1,150 m asl.
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Monastery of Our Lady of Hawqa.
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History

13th century	founded by villagers from Hawqa.
1998	inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Aassi Hauqqa: A=1,170 m asl, L=47 m.

Description

The Monastery of Our Lady of Hawqa is located at the base of an enormous cave. The monastery is located high above the valley at the top of the debris slope on a wide platform. The water reservoir of the monastery is fed by channels. The upper level is a 47 m long cave which was used as a refuge, it was accessible by ladder only. Excavations revealed a wealth of medieval pottery and arrowheads.

Another cave named Aassi Hauqqa was in use in Palaeolithic, Roman, and Medieval times. Traces of fortifications have been found in the cave.