Beyond Lebanon’s famous shrines, these 5 hidden religious sites continue to draw pilgrims

When it comes to religious tourism in Lebanon, attention often turns to the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya, home to the tomb of St. Charbel, or to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa.

But Lebanon’s spiritual landscape extends far beyond these well-known destinations. Across the country are lesser-known shrines and monasteries that offer visitors opportunities for prayer, quiet reflection, and a deeper encounter with Lebanon’s rich Christian heritage. Here are five of them:

Shrine of St. Maria Goretti in Miziara The Shrine of St. Maria Goretti in Miziara is the first shrine in Lebanon and the Middle East dedicated to the young Italian martyr.

Built in the shape of a rose, the shrine also commemorates Raya Chidiac, a young Lebanese woman whose killing reminded her family of the story of St. Maria Goretti. The site eventually became a shrine centered on a message of faith, forgiveness, and hope.

Mountain of Divine Mercy in Ghosta High above the coastal town of Jounieh, the Mountain of Divine Mercy in Ghosta overlooks the Bay of Jounieh.

Mountain of Divine Mercy. | Credit: Romy Al-Haber/ACI MENA

At its center stands a statue of Christ approximately 40 feet…