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Entrance to the chapel is through an arched
doorway. A modern altar with a niche has been installed against
the north wall, while niches for sarcophagi are cut into the other
walls. The uneven rocky floor is evidently part of the original
cave. In the center is a rough stone pillar.
The Chapel of St. Simon (in the distance to the right of the cave)
can be reached by going south around the great cliff of the cave
chapel and following a trail leading from the village outskirts.
This small church has been restored in modern times, but the foundations
are still of the Crusader era. The key is kept in the door.
Above the cave in the forest overlooking the village are six Roman
Forestry Inscriptions dating from the time of Hadrian (117-138
AD).
While the modernized chapel of St. Simon is somewhat disappointing,
the location is superb, with magnificent craggy landscapes and
sweeping valleys below. Continuing around the church you find
a great gorge where a river rushes in spring.
This roadway goes on to join the Roman Road at a place called
Draj Mar Sem'an leading over the mountains to the town of Yamouneh
in the Beqaa valley. Stone-cut steps signal that you have found
the place. Beside the steps a worn inscription in the limestone
proclaims the road open by order of the Emperor Domitian in the
first century AD. Sadly, further exploration here is not recommended
due to the possibility of land mines.
Two km south of Aqoura on the east side of the road there is a
natural bridge across the two entrances to the Roueiss cave, a
favourite with speleologists. Below the cave you'll find a pleasant
restaurant with fresh trout on offer.
High on the cliff above Roueiss is the Chapel of Mar Youhanna
(Saint John), which requires a stiff climb to reach. The cave
goes back for 500 meters and has a small spring. Domestic remains
left by cave dwellers from the Bronze Age to the Medieval period
have been found here.
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