Akoura lakes

• Aqoura is a mountainous village in the Byblos

District of Keserwan-Jbeil 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 10.5 square
kilometers . Aqoura's inhabitants are mostly
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 village of Aaqoura is
known for 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.
• 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.
• 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.