World · Middle East · 8 hrs ago
Lebanon’s last church-bell foundry keeps a 300-year family tradition alive
The Naffah family has made church bells in Beit Chabab, Lebanon, for about 300 years.
Its workshop, run by master bell-maker Naffah Naffah and his two sons, is now the country’s only church-bell foundry.
The family’s bell-making tradition is said to have begun when metalworker Youssef Gabriel learned the craft in the 18th century.
Each bell takes about two months to make, and the workshop produces around 25 a year.
About 20 go to churches in Lebanon, while the foundry also supplies churches in parts of the Middle East and Lebanese communities overseas.
Naffah says the tradition must be passed on to his children.
The Naffah family’s workshop in Beit Chabab is Lebanon’s last remaining church-bell production centre.
The family has made bells for three centuries, and the workshop supplies churches in Lebanon and communities abroad.
Master bell-maker Naffah Naffah runs the foundry with his two sons.
Each bell takes about two months to make, and the workshop produces about 25 bells a year.
- Who
- Master bell-maker Naffah Naffah and his two sons continue the family’s bell-making tradition.
- What
- The family runs Lebanon’s last remaining church-bell foundry.
- When
- The tradition dates back three centuries. The article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Beit Chabab, in Mount Lebanon.
- Why
- The family continues the tradition, and its foundry supplies churches in Lebanon and communities abroad.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Metalworker Youssef Gabriel began making church bells after learning the process or being tasked with making a bell, according to different accounts.
The Naffah family continues making church bells in Beit Chabab.
- Location
- Beit Chabab, Mount Lebanon
- Family tradition
- 300 years
- Annual production
- About 25 bells
- Time to make a bell
- About two months
- Typical cost
- $8,000 per 100kg
What people are saying
We have to pass it down to our kids, it’s been 300 years. I didn’t have any choice. My own father, he would come to the workshop when he could barely even walk.
Sources
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