This village near Batroun is known for the ruins of a Crusader castle located upon a hill overlooking the coastal area and for the Church of St. Nohra. In the Middle Ages, Smar Jbeil was part of the Crusader fief of Saint Montagne of the Lords of Batroun. However, the history of the village extends well before this period. As the construction of the base of the Crusader castle and the trenches chiseled in rock indicate, some of the original structures are likely to date back to the Greco-Roman and Phoenician periods. Some of the tomb stones in the ancient cemeteries of Smar Jbeil are also interesting for their Greek inscriptions.

Distance from Beirut : 53 Kms.

Driving distance from Beirut : 1h 30min.

Altitude : 450 meters.

Agriculture : Tobacco, Almonds and olives.

Water Source : Kfar Halda spring.

(from http://destinationlebanon.com/)