Maronite Patriarchate of Bkerke

Bkerke has served as the patriarchal seat of the Maronite Church since 1830. The complex began as a monastery built in 1703 by Khattar al-Khazen and was later occupied by Antonine monks before becoming the home of Sister Hindiyya al-Ujaimi's religious community. Following an Apostolic decree in 1779, it passed to the Maronite Church. A decree issued in 1790 designated Bkerke as the future permanent patriarchal residence, replacing Qannoubine, although the transfer was only completed under Patriarch Joseph Hobeiche in 1830. Today, Bkerke serves as the Patriarch's winter residence, alongside Dimane in the summer. Later patriarchs expanded the complex with a museum, an archive wing, and patriarchal tombs. Beyond its religious role, Bkerke has long been a place of political dialogue and national mediation, hosting Lebanese leaders during periods of crisis.