Under the patronage and in the presence of Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, with Dr. Antoine Sfeir representing President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, and representatives of Lebanon’s religious leaders in attendance, the “Trail of Roses” was inaugurated at the Patriarchs’ Garden in Diman.
Bringing together nature conservation and the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage, the trail adds a space for contemplation, walking and discovering the area’s natural beauty and plant diversity to the Hima route.
Despite stormy weather and heavy rainfall, the opening carried a meaning captured in the words: “I asked God for flowers… and He sent me rain.” Flowers cannot grow without water, and land cannot blossom without nourishment. Rain thus became part of the trail’s story—a symbol of life and renewal in Diman and the Holy Valley.
The Trail of Roses offers an opportunity to connect visits to the site with environmental awareness through the Hima approach promoted by SPNL, which engages local communities in protecting nature, conserving resources and safeguarding the heritage associated with them.
Twelve Flowers… A Story Throughout the Year
An interpretive sign installed by SPNL and its partners, set within a wooden frame among the trees, bears the title “Trail of Roses – Hima Diman Gardens.” It introduces the trail as a route for walking, religious pilgrimage, nature tourism and ecotourism, developed within the “Qannoubine Flower Oases” programme under the theme “12 Flowers for 12 Months.”
The sign features illustrations and names of plants and flowers associated with each month: narcissus in January, violet in February, cyclamen in March, lily in April, sage and carnation in May, Damask rose in June, lavender in July, laurel in August, jasmine in September, saffron crocus in October, chrysanthemum in November, and wild jasmine in December.
This arrangement introduces visitors to plant diversity through the progression of the months, giving the trail an educational dimension alongside its aesthetic and spiritual significance. The sign also includes a passage from the Book of Isaiah celebrating the blossoming of the earth and its joy. Logos of several organisations, including SPNL, appear along its lower edge, reflecting the connection between the environmental message and the site’s identity.
For SPNL, the inauguration of the Trail of Roses is an opportunity to reaffirm that nature conservation begins with people’s relationship with their land—a relationship grounded in knowledge, care and responsibility. Protecting Diman means conserving its trees, plants and landscape while safeguarding its memory and spiritual and cultural significance.
SPNL welcomes the opening of the trail and thanks everyone who contributed to its creation. The Society emphasises the importance of initiatives that bring communities together to protect their land and open pathways for younger generations to learn, reflect and participate.
The Trail of Roses… Every step is an invitation to protect nature, and every flower a promise of life and hope.
