Qurnat as Sawda'

Qurnat as Sawdā (Arabic: القرنة السوداء) is the highest point in Lebanon and the Levant, at 3,088 m (10,131 ft) above sea level. It is the summit of Jabal al Makmel, a mountain range in the Bsharri District,^[1] North Lebanon.

Qurnat as Sawdā
Qurnat As Sawda
Highest point
Elevation	3,088 m (10,131 ft)
Prominence	2,393 m (7,851 ft)
Listing	Country high point Ultra
Coordinates	34°18′00″N 36°07′00″E
Naming
Native name	القرنة السوداء (Arabic)
Geography
Qurnat as Sawdā
Parent range	Jabal Al-Makmel Bsharri North Lebanon

Etymology

The mountain's name derives from the Classical Syriac ܩܪܢܬ ܣܗܕ̈ܐ (Qornet Sohde), for "Martyrs' Peak". This, in turn, refers to late-13th century campaigns in the region by the Muslim Mamluk Sultanate during its conquest of the Christian Crusader states. Its name, like many other local toponyms, was retained even after the decline of Syriac as a vernacular tongue in the region.^[2]

Topography

Qurnat as Sawda is part of the Lebanon Mountains range and is a limestone and dolomite massif. The mountain has several peaks, with the highest one being the summit.

Climate

Koppen climate classification of Lebanon, where Qurnat as Sawda is inside the black circle.

Qurnat as Sawda has a Mediterranean-influenced subarctic climate (Köppen: Dsc), experiencing warm to cool dry summers, and cold snowy winters.^[3] The area receives significant annual precipitation, especially during the winter months, averaging between 1100-1400 mm.^[4] In some years, against odds, remnants of snow can persist through the summer months.^[5]

Biodiversity

The mountain is home to several unique plant and animal species, some of which are endemic to the region. It is also an important site for birdwatching, with several species of raptors, such as the Golden eagle, spotted in the area.

Hiking and tourism

Qurnat al Sawda is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers, with several hiking trails leading to the summit. The area also attracts tourists who come to admire the stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Bekaa Valley. There are also several villages and towns in the vicinity, such as Jird 40, Beqaasefrine, Bsharri, Syr and others which offer accommodations and services for visitors.

References in medieval religious literature

In Jacobus de Voragine's Golden Legend, the summit of Mount Lebanon (Qurnat as Sawda') is the site on which Noah, after having survived the flood, replanted a sacred tree. Voragine states that the tree's seeds were given to Seth by an angel in the Garden of Eden and placed in Adam's mouth upon his passing such that his blood could feed its growth.^[6]

See also

• List of mountains in Lebanon
• Folk etymology

References

1. "Qurnat as Sawda'". mylebanonguide. My Lebanon Guide.
2. Iskandar, Amine (12 March 2022). "Les toponymes du Liban". icibeyrouth.com. Ici Beyrouth. As for the country's highest peak, it was dedicated to the Christian martyrs who fell victim to the genocide perpetrated by the Mamluks at the end of the thirteenth century. It was called Qornet Sodé, the Martyr's Horn or Martyr's Summit. Later, with the transition to Arabic writing, the Syriac vowels, such as "o" and "é", which did not exist in Arabic, were replaced by a "waw" and a "hamzah", resulting in al-Qornah al-Sawdaa, the black corner.
3. "lebanon koppen climate".
4. "lebanon annual rainfall".
5. "lebanon snow remnants in summer".
6. "Secret Teachings of All Ages: The Cross and the Crucifixion".