THE FORTRESS OF IAAL

6 km south-east of Zghorta lies the massive ruins of a fortress built between 1812 and 1814 by Mustapha Barbar Agha, which served in the cavalry of the Amir Chehab (Governor of Mount Lebanon) and Ahmad Pasha al Jazzar (Governor of Akka). The gradually deteriorating fortress covers an area of 5 000 m ² and is surrounded by a powerful wall. It included deposits of ammunition and food, barracks, stables, tanks, apartments, and courtrooms and reception rooms. Inside, a basin called Birket as Sbaah was fed by a source located on a hill in the south of the village. In the west of the fortress mosque we find the humble Lord's grave, surrounded by other graves (his companions and his family).