Have you ever wondered about a town named after victory? That is Mansourieh. Today we are standing in front of the Municipality of Mansourieh. It is the heart of a town with a story etched in its very name.
Mansourieh sits on a hilltop. It is just 10 kilometers east of Beirut. The location provides panoramic views of the capital. Its name comes from the Arabic word “Mansour”. It means “victorious”.
The name likely dates back to a battle. Arabs fought Crusaders here. The Arabs won. So the town became Mansourieh.
Mansourieh is part of the Matn District. It is in the Mount Lebanon Governorate. The town has ancient roots. A Roman aqueduct stands as proof.
The Roman aqueduct reminds us of Beirut’s growth. As Beirut grew, it needed more water. Mansourieh held the answer. The Daychounieh spring was the closest source of water to Beirut. It was 20 kilometers away. Roman engineers built a channel. This channel carried water to Beirut.
The aqueduct is bridge-like. It is called “Qanater es-Sett Zubaida”. This means “The Arches of Mistress Zubaida”. Only a few arches remain by the river. Romans built it in 273 AD during Emperor Aurelian’s rule. It also served as a Roman military station.
The name Zubaida may link to Zenobia of Palmyra. She might have ordered its construction. Others connect it to Princess Zubaida. She was the wife of Caliph Haroun ar-Rashid. Another aqueduct shares this name. It is on the Nahr Ibrahim river.
Mansourieh consists of an old village on a ridge. The Beirut River borders it to the south and southwest. The Mar Roukouz ravine borders it to the north.
Ain Saadeh and Monte Verde-Beit Mery are to the east. Mkalles and Sin el-Fil lie to the west. Hazmieh is across the river to the southwest. Daychounieh is on the southeastern side.
Mansourieh is near major cities. It is 16 kilometers from Beirut. Baabda is also 16 kilometers away. Jdeideh is 12 kilometers away. The town rises from 200 meters to 350 meters above sea level.
Mansourieh was rural until the 1950s. Citrus orchards grew along the Beirut River. Olive groves covered drier areas. Pine forests thrived on southeastern slopes. Vineyards and fig trees completed the scene. Now urbanization has replaced many green spaces with buildings.
The Beirut River flows from the mountains. It passes south of Mansourieh. It empties into the Mediterranean Sea. A dam crosses the river. It is called “Jisr es-Sid”. The French built it during their mandate. The dam diverts water. This water irrigates the Hadath and Kfarshima plains. A bridge on the dam connects Mansourieh to Hazmieh.
In 2009, Mansourieh had about 17000 residents. About 1445 were voters. Native residents numbered 2254. There were approximately 4500 residences.
Mansourieh has several churches. These include Mar Elias and Miled Es-Saydeh. Both are Greek Orthodox. Mar Gergis is Maronite.
The Hajj family history goes back to the 17th century. Hanna el-Hajj fled to Mansourieh. The Hamouch family came from Mizlla.
Standing here at the Municipality of Mansourieh, we sense the layers of history. From Roman aqueducts to victorious battles, Mansourieh stands as a testament to time and triumph. A place whose story is etched in its very name.