Al-Qalamoun Explained

Al-Qalamoun should not be confused with Qalamoun Mountains.

Al-Qalamoun
Native Name:القلمون
Native Name Lang:ara
Settlement Type:City
Image Alt:Al-Qalamoun
Pushpin Map:Lebanon
Pushpin Map Alt:Map showing the location of Al-Qalamoun within Lebanon
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Lebanon
Coordinates:34.3833°N 35.7833°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:
Subdivision Type1:Governorate
Subdivision Name1:North Governorate
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Tripoli District
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Talal Hashem Dunke
Area Total Km2:3.18
Population Total:7000
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Demonym:Qalamouni
Timezone1:EET
Utc Offset1:+2
Timezone1 Dst:EEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+3
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Area Code Type:Dialing code
Area Code:+ 06401 and +06400
Website:qalamoun.org

Al-Qalamoun (Arabic: القلمون) is a Mediterranean seaside town of the North Governorate of Lebanon in the Tripoli District.[1] The town is 5 km south of Tripoli[2] and is also the first town south of Tripoli.[3]

Name

During Greco-Roman times Al-Qalamoun was known as Kalamos or Kalomo, while during the Crusades the town was known as Calmont or Calamón.[4] [5]

Other modern day names for Al-Qalamoun include: El-Qalmoun, Al-Qalamun, El-Qalmoûn, Al-Qalamūn and El-Qalamoûn.[6]

History

Al-Qalamoun has a history spanning 5000 years and during its history was an agricultural village.[7]

In modern times it has become a center for metal smiths working in copper, brass and bronze. This occurred after metal workers and artisans from Tripoli's Souk an-Nahhassine (the traditional market of Tripoli) moved to Al-Qalamoun several decades ago.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Buildings

In Al-Qalamoun there exists an old mosque known as the Bahr Mosque (mosque of the sea). As circulated among the citizens of the town, the mosque dates back to about 800 years ago. This is ascertained by a three-line tablet pasted on the wall besides the pulpit (527 A.H./1132 C.E.). This date coincides with the time during which Tripoli was under the Crusaders' rule. The mosque was restored by Sheikh Ali al-Baghdadi (d. 1192 A.H./1778 C.E.). The mosque is composed of two large halls. It was constructed using sandstone, as in the case of the mosques in Tripoli. The upper side of the wall has adorned cornices and above the mosque is a new minaret.

South from the Bahr Mosque is the Ayn el-Jami'i prayer house. As circulated among the citizens of the city, the mosque dates back to the Crusaders. Muslims constructed this place near a water source, then it developed into a prayer house, then became the Ayn Mosque. A charitable association transformed the mosque into a theological school.[13]

Climate

The table below displays average monthly climate indicators in Al-Qalamoun based on 8 years of historical weather readings.

Economy

The main street (avenue) in the town is lined with small workshops and showrooms where brass bowls, candlesticks and other objects are produced (hammered out) in the old traditional way. A good look around these shops can reveal interesting antique pieces as well. Roadside stands also sell olive oil products and fruit juices and syrups made from cranberry, mulberry, lemon, orange and other juices.[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] Al-Qalamoun is also famous for distilled flower and rose essences, that are used to add a nice flavor and smell to sweets. The town is also known for the Jazariyyeh (a kind of sweet made of pumpkin).[19]

Demographics

The residents of Al-Qalamoun are Sunni Muslims and number a few thousand people of different religions as Christianity.[20]

Notable people

Some notable people born in or descending from Al-Qalamoun include:

References

  1. https://www.qalamoun.org Qalamoun Official Homepage
  2. Web site: Towns and Villages Neighbouring Tripoli Lebanon . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100415204605/http://www.tripoli-city.org/neighbour.html#qalamoun . 2010-04-15 . dead .
  3. Web site: Al Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . 2016-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160917120423/http://www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb/SiteDetails.aspx?Sites=324 . dead .
  4. Web site: Major Cities – Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080724175130/http://www.lebanonatlas.com/lebanonmajorcities/North/Qalamoun/index.htm . 2008-07-24 . dead .
  5. http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.kfs10.com.br/loubnan/qalamoun.html&ei=DDVES_2ZFpaXkQXFk9iDCQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBIQ7gEwBDhk&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dal-Qalamoun,%2Blebanon%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBR_enAU318AU320%26sa%3DN%26start%3D100 Al Qalamoun
  6. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/LE/3/Al_Qalamun.html Al Qalamun, Lebanon Page
  7. Web site: Towns and Villages Neighbouring Tripoli Lebanon . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100415204605/http://www.tripoli-city.org/neighbour.html#qalamoun . 2010-04-15 . dead .
  8. Web site: Major Cities – Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080724175130/http://www.lebanonatlas.com/lebanonmajorcities/North/Qalamoun/index.htm . 2008-07-24 . dead .
  9. http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.kfs10.com.br/loubnan/qalamoun.html&ei=DDVES_2ZFpaXkQXFk9iDCQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBIQ7gEwBDhk&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dal-Qalamoun,%2Blebanon%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBR_enAU318AU320%26sa%3DN%26start%3D100 Al Qalamoun
  10. Web site: Al Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091130045600/http://www.lebanon-hotels.com/tourism/QALAMOUN/ . 2009-11-30 . dead .
  11. Web site: Al Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . 2016-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160917120423/http://www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb/SiteDetails.aspx?Sites=324 . dead .
  12. Web site: Towns and Villages Neighbouring Tripoli Lebanon . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100415204605/http://www.tripoli-city.org/neighbour.html#qalamoun . 2010-04-15 . dead .
  13. Web site: Towns and Villages Neighbouring Tripoli Lebanon . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100415204605/http://www.tripoli-city.org/neighbour.html#qalamoun . 2010-04-15 . dead .
  14. http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.kfs10.com.br/loubnan/qalamoun.html&ei=DDVES_2ZFpaXkQXFk9iDCQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBIQ7gEwBDhk&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dal-Qalamoun,%2Blebanon%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ADBR_enAU318AU320%26sa%3DN%26start%3D100 Al Qalamoun
  15. Web site: Al Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091130045600/http://www.lebanon-hotels.com/tourism/QALAMOUN/ . 2009-11-30 . dead .
  16. Web site: Kalamoun Homepage . 2010-01-07 . 2013-09-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130926214713/http://www.kalamoun.com/ . dead .
  17. Web site: Al Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . 2016-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160917120423/http://www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb/SiteDetails.aspx?Sites=324 . dead .
  18. Web site: Major Cities – Qalamoun . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080724175130/http://www.lebanonatlas.com/lebanonmajorcities/North/Qalamoun/index.htm . 2008-07-24 . dead .
  19. Web site: Towns and Villages Neighbouring Tripoli Lebanon . 2010-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100415204605/http://www.tripoli-city.org/neighbour.html#qalamoun . 2010-04-15 . dead .
  20. Web site: Municipal and ikhtiyariah elections in Northern Lebanon . The Monthly . 20 April 2015 . 8 . March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160603040803/http://www.localiban.org/IMG/pdf/iiMonthly-Municip-Mar10-E92.pdf . 3 June 2016 .

External links

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Al-Qalamoun".

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