Anfeh

Anfeh أنفة
City
Anfeh Location within Lebanon
Coordinates: 34°21′0″N 35°44′0″E
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	North Governorate
District	Koura District
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Dialing code	+961

The Saint Catherine Church at Anfeh, North Lebanon

The old church "Our Lady of the Wind" (Arabic: سيدة الريح) at Anfeh, North Lebanon

Vacation homes at Anfeh

Deir El Natour at Anfeh

The Interior of Deir El Natour at Anfeh

Old saltworks at Anfeh, near Tripoli (North Lebanon)

Anfeh (Arabic: أنفة), also spelled Enfe, Enfeh or Anfe, is a town in the Koura District of the North Governorate of Lebanon. Anfeh borders the towns of Chekka, Al-Qalamoun, Barghoun and Zakroun. It's located 65 kilometres (40 mi) north of Beirut and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Tripoli. Its total area is 4.93 square kilometres (1.90 sq mi), and its population is around 6,500.

The people are primarily Greek Orthodox with a minority of Maronite Christians and Sunni Muslim.

History

Remains from at least 3,000 years of human occupation lie tangled among the myrtle and brambles of this 400 meter long and 120m wide peninsula. It is partially separated from the land by two great trenches-dug into the bedrock during the Phoenician period. While Anfeh has witnessed only minor excavation, Phoenician and Roman walls, wine presses, mosaic floors, and two seventh-century-A.D. chapels lie bare beneath the intense sun and wind. This lovely seaside fishing town is known for its ancient churches and caves. Today Anfeh is also known for its salt production. Close to Anfeh is the Crusader-era Abbey of Balamand, which sits on a promontory overlooking the sea.

Ancient history

The archaeological site of Anfeh has been studied since 2010 by the Department of Archaeology and Museology at the University of Balamand, under the direction of Dr. Nadine Haroun-Panayot, and the findings suggest occupation of the promontory of Ras al-Qalaat and the modern town extending from the Early Bronze Age to the Ottoman period. Pottery finds at the site have been dated to as early as 3200 BC, older than earlier estimates that placed the town's founding around 1300 BC. From 2015 to 2018, archaeologist Lucy Semaan undertook a postdoctoral fellowship, funded by the Honor Frost Foundation, examining the development and use of the ancient site's seascape over time.

The Crusades period

Main article: Guy II Embriaco

The Anfeh peninsula was the site of the Crusader fortress of Nephin, a fief of the Counts of Tripoli. Early mentions of the fortress appear in Crusader chronicles from 1163, when it was controlled successively by the Raynouard family; it was taken by the forces of Bohemond IV of Antioch in 1206 after a dispute with Raynouard III, and was later held by Jean de Nephin between 1245 and 1260. In 1283, the German pilgrim and historian Burchard of Mount Sion referred to the fortress as ''Castrum Nephin in mari fere totum'' ("the Castle of Nephin, built almost entirely in the sea").

In 1282 the fortress was drawn into a conflict between rival Crusader factions. Guy II Embriaco the lord of Byblos, allied with the Genoese and the Knights Templar against Bohemond VII, Count of Tripoli. The uprising was crushed and Bohemond VII had Guy II Embriaco and several of his relatives were executed at Nephin. In 1289, the Mamluk Sultan Qalawun captured and destroyed Tripoli. Crusader forces retreated to the remaining coastal castle at Batroun and Nephin, which were unable to withstand the Mamluk army and were themselves destroyed shortly after.

Old Churches

Our Lady of the Wind

Main article: Our Lady of the Wind

The church of Saydet El-Rih ("Our Lady of the Wind"), was constructed between the sixth and seventh centuries AD, on top of a network of cisterns dating back to the Iron age. It is one of the few churches in Lebanon with a vault decorated with medieval wall paintings, and its apse depicts a Theophany-Deësis scene, (Christ flanked by interceding saints), a theme common to Levantine churches apses of the period. the church fell into disrepair following the Mamluk conquest in the 13th century, and it wall paintings have since been affected by salt-laden sea air and erosion; part of the apse, apse arch, barrel vault, and entrance porch walls have since been reconstructed.

Deir el-Natour

The Monastery of the Watchman, dating from the Crusades period, is attached to Balamand, the monastery of the Greek Orthodox patriarchate. Deir el-Natour has an interior cloister and the church has been decorated with paintings and frescos executed in Byzantine style by artists from Odessa. Lebanese diva Fayrouz chose Deir el-Natour in 2010, to perform her yearly chants of the holy Friday, in the scenery of the monastery's chapel and surrounding landscape.

Church of Saint Catherine

Lebanon's only surviving Romanesque church, dedicated to the Holy Sepulchre and built in the 13 century during the Crusades, was rededicated to Saint Catherine in the 17th century when it was restored by local inhabitants.

Saint Simeon and the Archangel Gabriel

Built next to the Church of Saint Catherine, this 18th-century church was dedicated to both Saint Simeon and the Archangel Gabriel. Architectural elements typical of the 18th century can be observed in the structure, such as the jars embedded in the ceiling to reduce noise and echo inside the church.

Saint George

It is the biggest and main church of the town.

Deir Mar Youhanna

Monastery dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The site hosts festivals during summer.

Geography

Climate

Anfeh has a Mediterranean climate characterized by four notably different seasons with a moderate weather during spring time. Summers are mainly hot, while winters are cold and rainy.

The table below displays average monthly climate indicators in Anfeh based on 8 years of historical weather readings.

Climate data for Anfeh, Lebanon
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	16 (61)	17 (63)	18 (64)	21 (70)	25 (77)	28 (82)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	26 (79)	22 (72)	18 (64)	23 (73)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	8 (46)	7 (45)	10 (50)	12 (54)	16 (61)	19 (66)	22 (72)	22 (72)	21 (70)	17 (63)	12 (54)	10 (50)	15 (59)
Average precipitation days	6	4	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	4	24
Source: climate-zone.com/

Demographics

In 1953, the town had a population of 1,447. Its population is estimated to be around 6,500, not including the thousands of emigrant families and young individuals.

Global Emigration

One of the many Lebanese villages where the number of inhabitants is a speck compared to the number of villagers abroad. Global emigration occurred as far back as the mid 19th century with records showing young men and families migrating to the new world mainly Australia and the Americas (North and South). The emigration continues till the present day. Some families are extinct and others are greatly reduced in number. However, in the diaspora, if one visits any major city or town specially in Brazil, Argentina, Qatar, Australia, Canada or the USA one will almost certainly find someone whose ancestors come from this village. During holidays specially summer many of the empty houses are joyfully cleaned and return to life with visiting families.

Religion

In 2014 Christians made up 97.54% of registered voters in Anfeh. 89.60% of the voters were Antiochian Orthodox. There are several historical churches and local shrines throughout the village.

Notable people

• Farid Makari: Lebanese politician since 1980, He was elected as a member of the Lebanese Parliament in 1992 and reelected in 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2009, he served as information minister in Hariri's second cabinet from 25 May 1995 to 7 November 1996, Former Vice-President of Lebanese Parliament since 2005.

Economy

Salt production

Slat has been extracted from the rocky shore of Anfeh since antiquity, ancient traders are said to have carved ponds into the seaside rock and carried seawater to them in pottery jars for evaporation. Salt extraction was banned under Ottoman rule and the salinas fell into disrepair; residents reportedly continued small scale clandestine salt extraction in hidden basins in the hills despite the risk of punishment. The prohibition continued through the French Mandate period and was lifted only after Lebanese independence in 1943 after which new salt basins were built along the Anfeh coastline.

Wide areas of Anfeh and its surrounding are covered by salines. Along the length of the bay, the salt marshes add a typically pretty note to the landscape, especially with the traditional wind wheel which pumps seawater. The production of sea salt is a staple of the local economy. "White gold", as it is called, provides for an inexhaustible natural resource which can thus be extracted without endangering the environment.

Fishing

Around 415 inhabitants practice fishing on a regular basis. The 80 full-time fishermen own their boats and maintain them. Fishing is the livelihood and main source of income for many families in Anfeh. Fishing boats have sought shelter in the natural harbor of Nhayreh in bad weather conditions. The large terraces on Anfeh's rocky coast shelter underwater species feeding on the seaweed and attract large numbers of fish. That place also attracts many anglers willing to fill their baskets with different types of fish. Fishing, by itself, is an art in Anfeh, inherited by its ancestors.

Agriculture

Fruits consist mainly of: Olive trees producing quality table olives and olive oil, and Grapes (seedless and non seedless).

Tourism

Anfeh attracts tourists, especially during summer time, for its landscape of small white houses, windmills and salines on its rocky beaches along the Mediterranean coast. Its historical monuments, old churches, and archaeological site of its peninsula make it one of the top touristic destinations of the Lebanese northern coast.

Anfeh is equipped to receive tourists, offering a choice of activities and touristic resorts such as Marina Del Sol and Las Salinas. Tourists can also eat fresh fish by the sea at local restaurants that offer fresh daily picks.

Education

Anfeh is equipped with one public school (Gebran Makari School). Private schools are available in the surrounding region of el-Koura, and in the nearby city of Tripoli. The three top universities of northern Lebanon, are around 5 to 10 minutes by car, like Balamand University, NDU in Barsa, and USJ in Al-Qalamoun.

Sports

Camping Hiking and swimming

Located between the natural harbor of Nhayreh and the archaeological peninsula, Anfeh creek has a rocky shoreline forming a semicircular shape, with several sandy underwater caves. This creek is used for swimming and hiking and is known its clear water and coastal landscape.

Many swimmers enjoy the wavy clear sea of Anfeh, others prefer the Olympic swimming pools that are available for practicing outdoor in summer and indoor in winter.

During the war, Lebanese national swimming championships were mostly held in Las Salinas and marina del sol in Anfeh.

Diving

Anfeh is known for its clear water, one of the cleanest waters on the Lebanese coast, home to a wide variety of fish. the archaeological peninsula hides many secrets in its bottoms below sea level, attracting curious divers.

Surfing

The waves of Anfeh's sea are not big enough for surfing, and its rocky shore does not help much. although its mostly windy weather during summer, makes it a top destination for wind surfing. equipment rental are available in town. Recently the wind of Anfeh is attracting the new small kite surfing community of Lebanon.

Arts And Culture

Cinema

Anfeh's mediterranean landscape has attracted the cameras of various film directors. The town has been the set of several local movies. The town has the number one cinema theatres in the north, Grand cinemas las salinas.

Transportation

Roads

Easily accessible from the main Beirut-Tripoli highway, taking the Anfeh exit. It is also reachable by taking the Chekka exit and heading north, or the Balamand exit and heading south. The roads are satisfactory and well maintained by the municipality. The road through town is the old main road that connects Beirut to Tripoli, now called the seaside road, parallel to the old train railway.

Conservation and threats to the site

In 1998, Anfeh was placed on the World Monuments Watch over concern that a proposed expansion of the nearby port would damage the archaeological site. Although the Lebanese government subsequently redirected the port expansion further south preliminary works had already destroyed sections of the Roman wall and a medieval trench was used as a construction-truck thoroughfare. The site also suffered illegal excavation and looting. Afneh was placed on the watch again in 2000 and 2002 to draw continued attention to these issues. In May 2018 Lebanon's Higher Commission for Urban Planning opposed a separate proposed resort development, known as "Natour Development," on the nearby Deir el-Natour peninsula, citing the area's ecological, historical and cultural significance. The project's ultimate fate remained uncertain at the time.

See also

• List of Crusader castles
• Koura District
• World Monuments Fund
• List of Phoenician cities

External links

• Anfeh, Localiban
• http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/900/910/919/Anfeh/
• http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/travel/cities/asia/middle%20east/lebanon/Anfeh.html Archived 2010-07-31 at the Wayback Machine
• http://www.geocities.ws/gtigana/Anfeh.html
• https://www.lebanontraveler.com/en/magazine/mini-guide-anfeh/