Castles Part 2

The second castle was very different from the first.  It is rare to find a German style castle in the middle of Lebanon.  Yet there is an interesting story behind this castle.  First off it was not built by Germans, it was built by one man that wanted to prove people wrong.  The story goes, that the builder was in school during the 1940's and was repeatedly beat by his teacher and was scorned by his classmates.   He often times spent his days drawing pictures of the castle that he would build when he was older.  It was during one of these times that the teacher beat him with a stick, ripped up his picture and told him that he would be nothing.  To add insult to injury the girl that he was in love with told him that he would forever be poor and would never build a castle.  The very next day he left school, walked to a far away town and learned how to be a stone mason. After 15 years of study he purchased the land and began building  In 1962. It would take nearly 60 years of his life.   Mr. Moussa is 85 years old and greets people at his castle and is eager to tell his story.  All of the figures that are in the castle either represent people who helped him or those that ridiculed him.   A small part of me thinks that this is obsession gone just a little too far.  The larger part says, "Way to go Mr. Moussa in following your dream!"  Regardless, well played Mr. Moussa.  Well played indeed!!!


The front of Moussa Castle

A full size replica of the last supper

On the third floor of the castle we found this man playing traditional Arabic instruments.  He called Delaney and Janna down to help him with the music.  He also served us Arabic coffee which Midge and I both agree....we need to find more of it!!!

In the basement is one of the largest weapons collections that I have ever seen.  Here is just a few of the swords and daggers.

Some of the figures that fill the castle.

 A small portion of the firearms that fill multiple rooms.

Backside of Moussa Castle

This boy was offering pony rides for just over a dollar and it was one of those things that we could just not pass up.  This is Janna's first horseback ride... to be honest I thought she was just going to get her picture on the horse and the boy started walking her around!!