Origin
The domain’s history is intimately linked to the men who founded it; their motivations, and their daily work with the local population. However, not only is Tanaïl’s history local, but also shaped by the Jesuit, French, Ottoman Empire’s and undoubtedly Lebanese history.
The Jesuit settlement
In 1860, amongst the many massacres perpetrated through several Lebanese regions, six Jesuits were assassinated in Zahle and Deir el Qamar. Following protests led by the Jesus Company and the French government, the Ottoman regime conceded an area of land measuring approximately 230 hectares in the vicinity of Tanail.
The Jesuits moved in at that time in a domain where unsanitary swamps, not worthy for living nor crops, occupied most of the land. From 1871 till 1880, enormous work is undertaken to clean up this swamp, plant thousands of trees, and then build a modest residence and chapel for the Jesuits. Late in the 19th century, the Jesuits began cleaning up the area and launched the domain’s agricultural and oenological activities. In parallel, they began to give priority to religious education and social activities beneficial to locals and orphans of the war.
In 1860, amongst the many massacres perpetrated through several Lebanese regions, six Jesuits were assassinated in Zahle and Deir el Qamar. Following protests led by the Jesus Company and the French government, the Ottoman regime conceded an area of land measuring approximately 230 hectares in the vicinity of Tanail.
The Jesuits moved in at that time in a domain where unsanitary swamps, not worthy for living nor crops, occupied most of the land. From 1871 till 1880, enormous work is undertaken to clean up this swamp, plant thousands of trees, and then build a modest residence and chapel for the Jesuits. Late in the 19th century, the Jesuits began cleaning up the area and launched the domain’s agricultural and oenological activities. In parallel, they began to give priority to religious education and social activities beneficial to locals and orphans of the war.
"The greatest achievements are successful not by strength, but by perseverance"
Samuel Johnson