Al-Moukhtara is located about 850 m above sea level and 50 km from Beirut.

The name Al-Moukhtara, meaning “the chosen,” is a reference to the decision of Sheikh Ali Rabah Joumblatt (grandfather of Sheikh Bachir Joumblatt) to choose the village for his palace grounds. The Joumblatt castle in Moukhtara was built in the 17th century and was then rebuilt in the mid 19th century. It is characterized by a combination of Oriental sand Italian artistic styles. The palace is distinguished by its colored glass facades, verandas, rails, windows, marble columns, and decorated arches. This fusion of Oriental and Italian elements is representative of 19th century architecture in this area.

Al-Mouktara is also famous for its traditional houses, its old oil presses, and its two churches. The late Mamluk and early Ottoman bridge, named the “Baddé Bridge,” used to link Al-Moukhtara to the western slopes of the villages of the Wadi al-Barouk.

Various palaces and large residences built in the traditional Lebanese architecture style can be found in this old town