St John Cathedral

The Saint John-Marc cathedral - كاتدرائية مار يوحنا مرقس

The Saint John-Marc cathedral, named after the first bishop of Jbeil, is among the first religious buildings built by the Crusaders in the East in 1115.

Of larger dimensions, the earthquake that occurred in 1170 destroyed half of it. It was later partially rebuilt.

One can admire the beautiful decorations where Western Romanesque style and local Eastern style blend, especially on its choir and on a charming monument attached to its north side. After the departure of the Crusaders, the cathedral was abandoned and used as a Khan (caravanserai for travelers).

In 1776, the Maronite Lebanese Order took possession of the building, washed it with rose water to purify it, and then at the beginning of the 20th century, added the sacristy, restored the walls and raised the bell tower on the new roof.