Visit Harissa

Standing on a height of 600 m, the immense statue called Our Lady of Lebanon overlooks the Jounieh bay with arms outstretched. Built and erected during the 19th century, the statue depicts the Virgin Mary and makes a major part of a sanctuary and can be reached via cable car. Our Lady of Lebanon is considered to be the patron saint of the country and the statue itself was carved in France. She was named the Queen of Lebanon in 1908 during the inaugural mass once the construction of the Basilica was completed. Till this day, the anniversary of the statue is celebrated during the first Sunday of May.

The shrine which it was built for is located about 1900 feet above sea level and the bird’s eye view it offers visitors leaves most mesmerized. It is often visited by pilgrims who have to take the cable car like everyone else to reach it from Jounieh right to the Harissa shrine. Also called the Notre Dame du Liban, the shrine was once visited by the Pope himself in 1997 when he wanted to show his support for Eastern Catholics and to educate the youth regarding Christianity.