Jeita Grotto is the longest cave system in the Middle East, located 18 kilometers north of Beirut, Lebanon. It consists of two interconnected limestone caves, the Upper Grotto and Lower Grotto. The Upper Grotto features many crystallized cave formations and the Lower Grotto involves a 500 meter electric boat ride along a subterranean lake. Jeita Grotto is a major tourist attraction, receiving over 280,000 visitors annually and providing employment to many local residents.

1. Jeita Grotto
‫مغارة‬‫جعيتا‬
By
Gena Khaled

2. Jeita Grotto is the longest cave in the Middle East and is a
system of two separate limestone caves that are interconnected.
Upper Jeita Lower Jeita

3. Where is it located?
The caves are
located in the Nahr al-
Kalb valley (dog river)
within the locality
of Jeita. It is 18
kilometers (11 mi)
north of the
Lebanese capital,
Beirut.

4. HISTORY OF THE GROTTO
Reverend William Thompson, an American missionary, is
credited with the modern discovery of the caves in 1836.
Thompson is said to have advanced 50 meters into the
caves before firing his gun. The resultant echoes assured
him that the caves were to be of significant importance.
Jeita Grotto was not explored further until the 1870’s, when
Maxwell and Huxley of the Beirut Water Company carried
out extensive expeditions of the caves, reaching 1060
meters inside the grotto.

5. THE UPPER GROTTO
The upper grotto
features a large
concentration of
crystallized
formations such as
stalagmites,
stalactites, ponds,
mushrooms, columns,
curtains and
draperies.
White Chamber
Red Chamber
Tall
Chamber

6. THE LOWER GROTTO
• A tour of the
lower grotto
involves a 1650ft
(500m) electric
boat trip along a
subterranean,
black lake.

7. The Jeita cave emits a spring providing fresh drinking water t the people of Beirut.
Water pollution, due to domestic and agricultural runoff remains a concern as an
increase of bacteria has been found.

8. The Beauty of Jeita
In 2008 Jeita Grotto
was a candidate for the
New 7 Wonders of
Nature competition. It
was selected as a
finalist and the only
cave selected amongst
the nominees. In 2011
Jeita was no longer on
the list.

9. JEITA GROTTO RECREATION
Jeita Grotto is a major tourist
attraction in Lebanon.
It provides full time jobs for 115
residents and approximately 280,000
people visit it each year.

10. FOR MORE INFORMATION
WWW.JEITAGROTTO.COM