Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great (Qozhaya)

The Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great (Qozhaya) is one of the oldest monasteries in the Qadisha Valley and was once the seat of the Maronite Patriarchate. In 1584 it became home to one of the Middle East's earliest printing presses, which produced the famous Syriac–Garshuni Psalter in 1610, one of the earliest printed books in the Arab world. The monastery's "Cave of the Mad" traditionally welcomed people seeking the healing intercession of Saint Anthony, while its church combines rock-cut spaces with stone masonry overlooking the valley. Saint Nimatullah Hardini professed his vows here before later teaching the young monk who became Saint Charbel.