Moussa Castle is a Lebanese landmark. Located on a hill between Deir El Kamar and Beiteddine, this castle hides an interesting story behind it!
Moussa Castle is the vision of Moussa Abdel Karim Al Maamari who was born in 1931. When he was a teenager, Moussa was obsessed with the architecture of the Middle Ages.
He always dreamed of building a castle with his own hands. At fourteen years old, he fell in love with a girl named Sayyeda. His crush, who belongs to a wealthy family, told Moussa that he could talk to her when he owns a palace.
During art class, his teacher assigned the students to draw a bird and a tree. Instead, Moussa drew a castle in which he and Sayyeda would live.
The teacher, whose name was Anwar, thought that Moussa was mocking him by not following the instruction. So, he beat him with a cane and tore up the drawing. The young dreamer picked up the pieces and left.
A few days later, Moussa made an important decision which changed his life. He went to Sidon without informing anyone and started working in construction with his uncle.
With his experience in renovating palaces, Moussa built the famous castle with his own hands. His wife Maria helped him.
The castle was a huge success. Many renowned figures, including President Camille Chamoun and his wife, visited the Lebanese landmark.
Moussa Castle contains figurines that portray scenes of the village’s life. One of the scenes depicts Anwar beating Moussa; a memory that the architect could never forget.
67 years after the incident, he invited Sayyeda to the castle with the help of his cousin. She didn’t know that it was her classmate Moussa who built the castle. Sayyeda was surprised when she saw him.
The castle features artifacts, gemstones, clothing, and 32,000 weapons. It’s a heritage museum where you can go back in time.
Wouldn’t Moussa’s story make a great novel or movie?
