مغارة الزحلان

Magharat Alzahlan - Zahlan Cave - Zahlan Grotto

Useful Information

Location:	Serkouta Street, Syr El Danniyeh. From Tripoli follow Alma Tripoli-Dannieh road, all the way to Sir el Dannieh. Turn left towards Hermel, after 300 m turn left again. (34.391890, 36.017933)
Open:	Summer daily 9-17. [2023]
Fee:	Adults USD 7. [2023]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Zahlan Cave, Serkouta Street, Syr El Danniyeh, Akkar, Tel: +961-70-322999.
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History

Description

مغارة الزحلان (Magharet Al Zahlan, Zahlan Cave) is formed in Jurassic limestones and dolomites. The limestones were uplifted and subject to karstification during the Lower Cretaceous. Later the area was submerged again. The current period of karstification started 20 Ma ago when the limestone was again uplifted. The uplift caused cracks in the limestone along which the cave was formed.

The cave has three level, the uppermost is the show cave. The lowest level is a river cave feeding the Zahlan resurgence. In the cave a skeleton was discovered which was dated to the Neolithic age.

The area is a popular tourist destination and there are a merry-go-round, several outlooks and a bridge protruding to form another outlook.