The sanctuary of Mar Elias.
In the southern side of the village we find the convent of Mar Elias. Its architecture tells that it is o
lder than the church of the parish but more recent than the convent of Mar Doomit in Fawar Mejdlaya. Next to it there is the well of Mar Elias that looks like if it was carved in the rocks, and it's much deeper than it looks today. In the past, people used to throw away something in the well as a votive offering for the saint until its entry was closed to prevent children from falling into.
Some old people say that the well is related to the Prince' arcades on Abu Ali river and the fortress of Tripoli built by the crusaders and that the well is an outlet for the fortress. Someday digging may approve or disapprove this theory, but some people wonder why the convent was built there and why the well is next to it?
Around the year 1970, the first graveyard of Mejdlaya, next to the Lady's church had become narrow. So the graveyards of Mar Elias were built with the consent of the then archbishop Antoon Abed, the permit of the municipality of Mejdlaya, and the approval
of the Ministry of Health.
After 1976, and by the end of the two-year war, the buildings began to soar skyward next to the highway linking Zgharta to Tripoli.
Today, one of the most important buildings there is the hospital of Dr Youssef Rehban. It's formed of three floors for patients, equipped with the best medical supplies and directed by the most competent crew under the presidency of its owner.
To the western side of the convent of Mar Elias stand a great number of companies like: the establishment of Maarawi for wood, the company of Zeid for ceramic and tiles, Moorad for gas, and Abu Assi for cement as well as others.
