Historic Ottoman Tunnel

So, Gio and I recently visited the Ottoman tunnel in Chekka, and wow—what a fascinating piece of history tucked away along the Lebanese coast! Ever since ancient times, people have always been looking for shortcuts, and this tunnel is a perfect example.

Just about 40 miles north of Beirut, in the village of Hamat, right before you reach Chekka, there’s this huge cliff that stands about 300 feet high, jutting out into the sea. Back in the day, anyone wanting to travel north would have to make a huge detour inland to get around it. It was a major roadblock! The convent of Deir Nouriyyeh is perched up there on the cliff too, which adds to the serenity of the place.

After World War I, in 1919, the French—Lebanon’s allies at the time—decided to cut through the rock right along the seashore to create a tunnel. It made traveling and transporting goods north so much easier. With the construction of new highways, though, they moved the road higher up the mountain, leaving the old tunnel as more of a historical site. There’s even this cool mushroom-shaped rock near the entrance where people have been carving their names for years.

But what’s even cooler is the older tunnel that dates back to the Ottoman era. This one was used for carts, animals, and anyone traveling north during the late Ottoman rule. It’s still intact and has this rustic, old-world charm to it. You can really imagine the hustle and bustle of people passing through there centuries ago.

When people think of Chekka, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the tunnel, but now it’s more like three tunnels, each with its own unique story. We had a blast exploring it, and the history there is just so rich. If you ever get the chance, it’s definitely worth a visit—it’s one of those hidden gems that not many people talk about, but it’s got a lot to offer in terms of history and beauty!