Qartaba

Qartaba ܩܪܛܒܐ | قرطبا
Town
34°06′N 35°51′E / 34.100°N 35.850°E / 34.100; 35.850
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Keserwan-Jbeil
District	Byblos District
Government
• Body	Qartaba Municipality
• Mayor	Fadi Martinos
Area
• Total	8.5 km2 (3.3 sq mi)
Elevation	1,250 m (4,100 ft)
Highest elevation	1,600 m (5,200 ft)
Population
• Total	5,000
• Density	590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	1401
Dialing code	+961
Website	Official webpage

Qartaba (Arabic: قرطبا, Syriac: ܩܪܛܒܐ, also spelled Kartaba or Artaba) is a town in the mountains of the Byblos District of the Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, Lebanon. It is located 57 kilometers north Beirut on the mountains above Byblos at an average altitude of 1,250 meters.^[1][2]

The name Qartaba has several interpretations:

• In Semitic languages, specifically Syriac, Qar (ܟܘܪ ܛܒܐ) means settlement and Taba (ܩܪܛܒܐ) means good. Due to its good, curing and balanced weather.

• The name might be derived from Qartab, a plant that grows in barren mountains.

• Some historians suggest the name is linked to Córdoba in Andalusia.

The Syriac interpretation is the most likely because most of the surrounding villages have names of Syriac or Aramaic origin. The town is often referred to as Byblos' Bride.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Qartaba was a significant commercial hub in the Byblos highland, attracting residents from neighboring villages for shopping and employment. Silk manufacturing flourished and in 1918 as the town boasted seven silk-spinning factories, employing around five hundred workers, and its residents raised silkworms for this industry.

The silk produced was exported to Lyon, France. However, the industry declined with the advent of artificial silk.

In the mid-1950s, the people of Qartaba shifted their focus to agriculture, particularly apple farming, which remains prominent to this day. Olive groves, apple orchards and vineyards surround the town.

The diaspora of Qartaba's residents has spread worldwide, reaching countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, Mexico, and notably South America, including Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina.

A column carved into the facade of two temples, with statues of members of an elite Roman family was discovered in 1940 in Qartaba, near Saint Sarkis and Bakhos Monastery. It is estimated that the statues were buried between 120 and 160 CE.

Written under the statues in Greek are the names of the family members: "Abd al-Latus", "Meli", "Cassia" and "Germanus".

Men's clothing reflects the influence of Roman dress, unlike women's clothing, which reflects local tradition.

"Germanus" appears to have been a priest, wearing the flat hat of a Phoenician priest, with a sprinkler in his hand for religious rituals. Germanus is still a family name present in Qartaba and is also used as a first name, particularly in Mazraat es-Siyad.

As for "Abd al-Latus", he bears the name of a goddess whose honor was associated with the Arabs. And the names "Germanus" and "Cassia" reflect the Roman influence in the area.

The statues are now located in the National Museum of Beirut.

The inhabitants of Qartaba are predominantly Maronite Catholics.^[3] As of 2009, the religious make-up of the town's 6309 voters were roughly 99% Maronite Catholics (6247 voters), 0.8% Melkite Catholics (50 voters) and 0.2% Greek Orthodox (12 voters).

The main families of Qartaba are: Acar, Atallah, Beyrouthy, Challita, Gharios, Karam, Khoury, Sakr, Sawaya, Sokhen and Soueid.^{[citation needed]}

Qartaba enjoys a Mediterranean climate with very low humidity, making it feel fresh and inviting. Summers are typically hot and dry, with radiant, sunny skies and minimal rainfall. As autumn arrives, temperatures cool down, and the area begins to experience more frequent showers. Winters in Qartaba are cold and often snowy, with the village frequently blanketed in snow, creating a serene and picturesque winter landscape. The cold weather is accompanied by crisp, clear air, and the snow-covered scenery adds a magical charm to the village. Spring brings a gentle warmth and moderate rain, fostering lush greenery and vibrant blooms. This climate creates a diverse and beautiful natural environment, making Qartaba a charming destination throughout the year.

• Saint Sarkis and Bakhos Monastery was built in 1536 when the children of Sheikh Gerges fled from Aqoura to Qartaba, bringing with them an image of the holy martyrs, Saints Sergius and Bacchus. With the help of the townspeople, they built a Church dedicated to these Saints, which was later destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1717. In 1815, the people of Qartaba gifted the Church and its property as an "eternal endowment" to the Lebanese Maronite Order. This endowment was intended to establish a school to provide free education in reading, Christian teachings, guidance, and spiritual services. This agreement was made with General Father Ignatius Blebel and approved by Bishop Germanos Tabet. The Order promptly completed the school and purchased adjacent lands to expand the construction, eventually establishing the site as a legal Monastery in 1823.

• Cathedral of Saint Elias, originally constructed in the mid-16th century and restored in 1556, underwent two major rebuilds in 1846 and 1903. Designed in a basilical plan, the cathedral features three naves and three altars. It houses numerous 19th century paintings by Kanan Dib and Daoud Corm, and is adorned with stained glass windows. The exterior is highlighted by a bell tower with a clock, adding to its architectural splendor.

• Church of Our Lady of Herezmeny was built in 1827 when the Karam family relocated from Yanouh to Qartaba. They reached an agreement with the Hamade sheikhs to construct the Church on the herezmeny land, which housed Roman ruins. In the late 19th century a vault was added to the main building, giving it an L-shaped structure.

• Church of Saint Tedy was built in 1607 when the family of the priest Tedy came to Qartaba from Urfa. It was built upon a parcel of land that was donated by the Hamade sheikhs. It is the only church in Lebanon dedicated to St Tedy or Jude the Apostle of Asia Minor. The other churches in Lebanon are usually dedicated to him under the name of apostle Leba. The church was rebuilt in 1868 and has a painting by Daoud Corm dating back to 1880 representing St Tedy as a bishop. The church was restored in 2004.

• Church of Saint Joseph was built in 1898 when Joseph Rafael Jabbour gave the land of Al Malaha to build it.

• Church of Saint Georges was built as a private chapel for the family of Moufarrej Geryes in the late 19th century and was restored in 2022, it is in Haret El Tahta street.

• Church of Saint Challita, built in 1925.

• Church of Saint Semaan Al Aamoudy, built in 2003.

• Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation

• Church of Saint Thérèse

• Church of Saint Charbel – Al Khalle

• Church of Saint Charbel – Charbineh

• Church of Saint Charbel – Chmis Street, built in 2017.

• Church of Saint Elias – Hsayya

• Church of Our Lady of Tenderness

• Church of Saint Rita, built in 2013

• Shrine of Our Lady of Peace

• Shrine of Saint Challita

• Shrine of Saint Veronica Giuliani

The Kartaba Carnival is an annual and cherished event organized usually in the middle of August by the "Qartaba Touristic and Traditional Festivals" committee with support from the Municipality. It attracts a diverse array of attendees, including political, military, judicial, and religious figures, as well as social media influencers, municipal presidents, and notable personalities from Qartaba and the Byblos District.

The carnival, which began in the 1960s, continues to be held in the village square, drawing visitors from all regions. The local community, comprising people of all ages, comes together to create vibrant exhibition boards showcasing traditional Lebanese music, art and culture. This event is free to attend and concludes with a musical evening featuring performances by Lebanese artists.

• Don Bosco School, the first school established by the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco in Lebanon.

• El Saydé School, which was a private school run by the Sisters of Ibreen and then turned into a mixed public high school.

• The Municipality of Qartaba, established in 1984.

• (ABK) "الجمعيّة الخيّرية القرطباويّة", established in 1927 and is one of the first charitable societies in Lebanon that still exists, and that practices and supports Qartaba's society in various fields (medical, health, educational and social).

• Brotherhood of the Heart of Jesus

• Brotherhood of the Immaculate Conception

• Trial court

• Public hospital

• Civil Defense Center

• Internal Security Forces Center

• Dr. Fares Souaid, politician, former MP and Secretariat General Coordinator of the March 14 Alliance.

• Nouhad Souaid, former MP.

• Joseph Sakr, singer and stage actor.

• Adel Karam, actor, comedian and TV presenter.

• Dr. Bechara Khoury, president of Notre Dame University-Louaize.

• Rachel Karam, senior reporter.

• Nadim Cherfan, choreographer and founder of The Mayyas.

• Anthony Khoury, founder and lead singer of Adonis (band).

• Kartaba – Byblos' Bride