- Baabdat
Infobox City Lebanon
official_name = Baabdat
native_name = بعبدات
governorate = Mount Lebanon Governorate
district = Matn District
elevation_m_lo = 800 |elevation_m_hi=1050
mapx = 33.8759
mapy = 35.5950Baabdat (also spelled Baabdath,
Arabic : بعبدات) is a town located in theMatn District ofMount Lebanon , 22 km fromBeirut at an altitude ranging between 800 to 1050 meters above sea level. [ [http://www.baabdath.gov.lb/about.html About Baabdat - Welcome to Baabdat ] ] The lush pine forests that surround the town make it a very popular summer resort for those escaping the busy coastal cities of Lebanon, especially the capital,Beirut . The town's proximity toBrummana , one of Mount Lebanon's most active summer destinations, makes Baabdat a major tourist destination in the summer. [ [http://www.ikamalebanon.com/resorts/summer/mount/villages/baabdat.htm Baabdat ] ]Demography
The inhabitants of Baabdat are Lebanese and followers of the Maronite Catholic,
Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic churches.Etymology
The name "Baabdat" is
derivative of theAramaic words, "beit abdutha", meaning "the home of adoration." The Aramaic name refers to an ancient temple that was built by the Phoenicians to worship the ancientCanaanite , Greek and later Roman gods. [ [http://www.baabdath.gov.lb/history.html Municipality of Baabdath ] ]History
When Lebanon was part of the
Roman Empire , Baabdat was the center of wood choppers who transported trees to Beirut for use in ship construction. [ [http://www.ikamalebanon.com/accommodations/region/mount_acc/city_village/baabdat.htm Baabdat ] ]Notables from Baabdat
Baabdat is the birthplace of Lebanon's former president,
Émile Lahoud , politicianNassib Lahoud and film director and actressNadine Labaki .Religious Structures
Like most mountain villages of
Lebanon , Baabdat is home to numerous, historic churches, monasteries and convents.*
Saint Mamas Church, built in the 16th century*
Saint George Church, built in the mid 1700s*Our Lady of Deliverance Church, built in 1851
*
Saint Michael Greek Catholic Church*Saint Antonio Convent, completed in 1900
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
