A Brief History of the Cedar Trees of Lebanon
On the Lebanese flag and in its bumpy history, the cedar stands eternally tall. One of the most defining features of Lebanon’s culture is its Cedar-tree-filled expanses. The tree is definitely a staple of the population’s identity and seeps through into its national anthem and art.
It is not only today that cedars take on a big role in putting Lebanon on the global map. The trees are first mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh; The Cedars of God are mentioned as a divine, shady forest fought over by the demi-gods and the humans. It is said that the expanse was once protected by Mesopotamian Gods and that Gilgamesh himself used cedar wood to build his great city.
Over the years, many peoples have made use of cedar wood provided by the forest. The Phoenicians used it to build their ships, Egyptians to make paper, and other civilizations like the Romans and Turks exploited the natural treasure for trade. The trees also hold significant religious importance, as they are mentioned in the Bible on several occasions: Solomon used their wood to build Jerusalem and Emperor Hadrian ruled them as royal domains which stopped their destruction.
In modern history, the cedar trees continued to get exploited despite Queen Victoria’s attempt to protect them. During World War One, British soldiers significantly cut down the tree population by exploiting it for railroads. Today, the Bulk of the Cedar trees are located on the Arz Mountains in Lebanon. The site is well protected and cherished as UNESCO named the forest one of the World Heritage sites.
Cedars are definitely another source of pride for the Lebanese, as the forests remind the people of the great heritage they hail from. It is difficult to imagine, with all the exploitation, that the Lebanese rural landscape was once a giant mythical, biblical, and now historical forest. One can definitely see the Gods in the Cedar tree’s eternal lifespan.
Location:
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.