Bchaaleh (Arabic: بشعله), alternatively spelled Bcheale, Bchealeh or Bshaaleh, is a village in the Batroun District of the North Governorate in Lebanon.
It had 1,456 eligible voters in the 2009 elections, and the residents mainly belonged to the Maronite Church. The village is notable for being home for the Sisters Olive Trees of Noah, twelve olive trees believed to be among the world's oldest.
Geography The village of Bchaaleh stands on a promontory, with views of the sea and across Douma. It is home to traditional houses and to Saint Stephan church, one of the largest in the region of Batroun. To the north-east of the village, a citadel is built on the ruins of a medieval fortress, erected itself on Phoenicians ruins destroyed by the Romans.
Centennial olive trees
Twelve olive trees still live in the village of Bchaaleh, at more than 1200m above sea level. It is said that they are the oldest olive trees in the world. Different studies and research present data on the age of the Sisters Olive Trees of Noah in Bchaaleh. Some claim they are "between five and seven thousand years old".Bechealeh's ancient trees still producing high-end olive oil, article in The Daily Star (Lebanon)
Etymology Syriac origin, "Beit Chaali", meaning "the place of glorification and adoration".
Demographics In 2014 Christians made up 99.14% of registered voters in Bchaaleh. 93.70% of the voters were Maronite Catholics.
Solar power In 2017 Bchaaleh installed a solar farm, and managed to avoid the worst effects of the 2021 Lebanese blackout.Lebanon crisis: How one village keeps the lights on thanks to solar power by Elizabeth Fitt, 30 October 2021, Middle East Eye
See also List of oldest trees List of individual trees List of long-living organisms
References
External links Bcheaali , Localiban Photos of the Olive Trees of Bcheale on Panoramio.com Sisters olive trees of Noah website about the town of Bcheale OLEA - images of the olive trees of Bcheale "The sisters olive trees of noah, the last sentinels of the north"—article by the Association for the protection of Lebanese heritage Village website Weather and climate from Accuweather Bchaaleh from Les Plus Beaux Villages du Liban