Aqoura

Aaqoura عاقورة Aaqoura
Aqoura, 2017
Aaqoura Location in Lebanon
Coordinates: 34°7′11″N 35°54′12″E
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Mount Lebanon
District	Byblos
Area
• Total	140 km2 (50 sq mi)
Elevation	1,450 m (4,760 ft)

Aqoura (Arabic: عاقورة, also spelled Aaqoura, "Akoura") is a mountainous village in the Byblos District of Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. It is 68 kilometers north of Beirut. Aqoura has an average elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level and a total land area of around 140 square kilometers . Aqoura's inhabitants are Maronite Catholics.

By area, Aaqoura is the largest village belonging to its citizens (not emirate lands) in Lebanon. By voting, it is the third largest town in the Byblos District, along with the district capital Byblos and Qartaba.

Maronites emerged from Aaqoura in the fourth century when Saint Maroun's disciple Ibrahim El Korchy started preaching and converting pagans to the Christian faith in the Aaqoura area. The carved stone Saint Peter and Paul church in Aaqoura is by far the oldest existing church in Lebanon and one of the oldest in the world. It was converted in the 4th century from a tomb place to the priests of the temple of Ashtarout in Afqa to a church.

The village of Aaqoura is known by the famous mountain chains surrounding and protecting it. These mountains have offered refuge for the citizens of Aaqoura during the different wars in Lebanon and the region. Also known for their courage, hospitality, and their intelligence the people of Aaqoura are studying and working worldwide. The local citizens work, value and guard their lands. They cherish and proclaim their Christianity and play a major role in Lebanon through their political influence and their international relations.