THE JOUMBLATT PALACE
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Located about ten kilometres south-east of Beiteddine, Moukhtara was from the 17th century the stronghold of the Joumblatt family whose very imposing palace dominates the village. Crossed by a spring, the building emerges from an ocean of greenery. Four giant yew trees stand tall in the middle of the large courtyard on either side of the river.
The residence, rebuilt in the 19th century, combines oriental and Italian architectural influences. It was built on an older structure destroyed in 1825 during the battles between the Druze sheikhs and Bashir II. It was there that Kamal Jumblatt, a great Lebanese politician, leader of the Druze community and leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, lived. After his murder, his son Walid Jumblatt took over.
Although not part of the tourist itineraries, the palace can be visited. It houses a remarkable collection of oriental crafts, the Kamal Joumblatt Museum, works of art and mosaics. Extensive renovation work has just been completed and the result is remarkable: enough to put Moukhtara back on the Lebanese tourism map!
