If you are like me, you more than likely have visited most of the famous sites in this great country of Lebanon. But have you ever wondered what secrets lie among the mountains and valleys? Just like a soap opera, faraway villages tell a vivid story of love, learning and lifestyle.
One such community goes by the name Bterram. Under the Emir Shehab, this village used to be an important center of government. Over the ages it has harnessed a reputation for its vast olive fields and mouth-watering grapes. Now not many pictures come to mind when you hear the word Bterram. But, translated from Arabic to ‘Wind of the Rock’, this village in El Koura is home to a fascinating mystery. The reason partly comes from its name which is also thought to be a translation of ‘Temple of Astarte’. She was a Phoenician Goddess married to the God of health Eshmun. Sounds interesting? It gets better… 
Within Bterram’s town limits lies an underground structure which is believed to be a symbol of healing, fertility and eternity. This eight room temple is the only site still in existence dedicated to the Phoenician Goddess. Her husband Eshmun a.k.a. the God of the Phoenician city of Sidon had a special symbol. This symbol was a snake rolling on a rod. Bterram also happens to be the home of two churches. One of them was dedicated to the Saints Cosmas and Damian. Cosmos and Damian are known as the patron saints of pharmacists. This is partly thanks to their skills in science and medicine.
It is interesting to note the comparison with the symbol of a snake rolling on a cup that is found in all pharmacies today…
Article by BeirutNightLife.com contributor Peter Sleiman
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