Zgharta Zawie Online Magazine

Zawieh Caza - Zgharta

Zgharta - Zawie Online Magazine

Khaldieh - Sakhra - I'aal

Khaldieh

Al-Khaldieh is a village situated in the Zawieh plain at an altitude of 150 m. After the 16^th century the Chidiac family used to come from Becharre to spend the winter in al-Khaldieh. It is worth noting that at the beginning of the 20^th century it counted 200 adult Maronite males, and was famous for silk production. Moreover, the mother of St. Charbel, Brigitta Chidiac, was born in Khaldieh. Remains of her parents’ house are still standing in the village.

The Ottoman census of 1849 counted 34 males and that number of houses, 11. In 1906 Khaldieh was a large community of 200 Maronite males.

Education: In the late 1950ies there was an Archdiocese school in Khaldieh and lasted till the year 1976 when it was replaced by a Public school that did not survive. In 1985, the Antonnine Sisters inaugurated a college, now one of the major institutions in the district. It provides all educational levels from elementary classes to high school with the addition of a "technical edution" section.

I'aal

Located in Al-Zawieh at 6 Km from Zgharta, I'aal is an ancient village. In I'aal stands the only significant historical monument in the Zawieh: the fortress of Barbar Agha. The Ottoman census of counted 34 Muslim males.

In 1998 I'aal counted 1082 persons officially registered, half of them living outside Lebanon. Many early emigrant names are still in the records.

Education: In 1959, the government set a public school that is still active today.

Administration: In 1998 a new municipal council of 9 members was elected: Hsein Diab (President), Hsein Abdelghani (Vice President), Ghada Mir, Saiid Mir, Ahmad Dennaoui, Mer'i Mer'i, Ahmad Diab, Ali Naser, Nasreddine Dib.

The mukhtar is Hasan Ahmad Diab.

Sakhra

Located in the district of Al-Zawieh, Sakhra was mentioned neither in the documents dating back to the Middle Ages nor in the “Daftari Tabo” (the Ottoman register). However, the ruins of ancient houses lead us to the assumption that Sakhra might have been mentioned under a different name. Sakhra is inhabited now by the Miziarians.

Education: In the era between 1940 and 1960, a one teacher (Youssef Saliba) school was present in the village. The Public school that opened in 1960, closed down in 1992.