The stone front
Blocks carved in many shapes.
Peripitus — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Heretiq — CC BY-SA 2.5 · Heretiq — CC BY-SA 2.5 · MSinjari — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Serge Melki from Indianapolis, USA — CC BY 2.0
Moussa Castle is an unusual building on a hill between Deir al-Qamar and Beiteddine, built by one man to fulfil a childhood dream. Despite its towers and walls it is not medieval but a 20th-century creation, and it has become one of the Chouf's best-known stops, especially for families who enjoy its odd story and displays. It was built by Moussa Abdel Karim Al Maamari, born in 1931 in Harat Al Saraya, who died in 2018. The idea began when he was 14, after his teacher and classmates mocked him. He left school and worked on restoring castles with his uncle, then at Beiteddine. He laid the foundation stone in 1962, finished it with his wife's help and opened it to the public in 1969. The building covers 3,500 sq m, with walls of stone carved in many shapes, round towers and water before the facade. Inside are wax-figure scenes of old Lebanese life and of Moussa's own story, along with a large collection of old weapons arranged in geometric patterns on the walls. It is about 700 m in a straight line from Beiteddine and about 2 km from Deir al-Qamar, so you can combine them in one day. Sources say it opens all week, so check its website before going. An hour is enough. It suits children, though there are many stairs inside.
Blocks carved in many shapes.
Old Lebanese life.
Geometric patterns on the walls.
Between Deir al-Qamar and Beiteddine, Chouf, Mount Lebanon
No. Building began in 1962 and it opened in 1969, despite its medieval look.
Yes. They usually enjoy the wax scenes, though there are many stairs.
