Rashaya
| Rashaya راشيا Rashaya al-Wadi |
|
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Country |  Lebanon |
| Governorate | Beqaa Governorate |
| District | Rashaya District |
| Rashaya | |
 Shown within Lebanon
|
|
| Location | 25 kilometres (16 mi) Southwest of Damascus |
|---|---|
| Region | Bekaa Valley |
| Coordinates | 33°30′46″N 35°50′00″E / 33.512778°N 35.833333°E |
| History | |
| Cultures | Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Public access | Yes |
Rashaya (Arabic: راشيا), also known as Rashaya al-Wadi is a town in Lebanon, situated in the Rashaya District and south of the Beqaa Governorate. It is located on the slopes of Mount Hermon, south east of Beirut near the Syrian border, and approximately halfway between Jezzine and Damascus.[1] Rashaya is still considered to be a traditional Lebanese town with its old cobbled streets and small shops, even though it witnessed in recent years a slight expansion of buildings.
[edit] History
Under the French Mandate and on 11 November 1943, Rashaya witnessed the arrest and the imprisonment of the Lebanese national leaders by the Free French troops (Bechara El Khoury (the first post-independence President of Lebanon), Riad El-Solh (the Prime Minister), Pierre Gemayel, Camille Chamoun, Adel Osseiran). This led to a national and international pressure in demand for their release, and eventually obliging France to obey. On November 22, 1943, the prisoners were released and that day was declared the Lebanese Independence Day.
The prison, which is now stationed by the Lebanese Armed Forces, is an 18th century citadel that can be visited and seen under the army's surveillance.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ [1], URL accessed May 31, 2008
- ^ Lebanon Atlas - Rashaya: Tourism in Lebanon, Lebanon Touristic Sites, Rachaya al Wadi, Rashayya
[edit] External links
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