: طرابلس الغرب

Tripoli: The Bride of The Mediterranean Tripoli is the capital city of and the largest city in Libya, with an estimated population of just under two million people. It is located in the northwest side of the country on a rocky land projecting into the sea and forming a natural bay. The local Arabic form of the name is T'arāboulus, written as طرابلس, while internationally it was more specifically known as T'arābulus al-Gharb (Tripoli of the West), طرابلس الغرب, to distinguish it from another city in the Middle East by the same name, namely Lebanon's Tripoli. Brief History of Tripoli: The city of Tripoli is very ancient and was used by the Phoenicians as a commercial city during the 1st millennium BC, when they first arrived in Tripolitania. Over the course of the centuries, the Carthaginians' influence grew to dominate the entire Mediterranean, and even threatened the existence of the newly emerging Rome, especially when Hannibal imprisoned the Romans in their own capital for 12 long years. Apparently Hannibal refused to attack Rome because he strongly objected to killing women and children in their own home, and instead he waited for Roman men to come out and give him a decent fight. The Romans, fearing certain death, refused to face him, and instead began their conspiracy to divert the war to Carthage; which, by enlisting the help of the Berbers, they eventually managed to attack and as a result Hannibal was ordered by his superiors to leave Rome and return home to defend the capital Carthage, where he was eventually betrayed, lost, fled the country, and then betrayed again by his host, after which he sealed his own fate and the fate of Carthage, which the Romans grazed to the ground. Following this disastrous defeat, Tripolitania first came under the influence of the Berber Kingdom of Massinissa's Numidia, but then, typical of Roman treasury, it was taken over by the Romans and eventually became a Roman protectorate, providing grains, air-like wine, wild animals, and slaves to its masters in Rome. The name Tripoli comes from Tri-Polis, which means 'three cities': the famous three cities that made up the region of Tripolitania in ancient times: Sabratha (Zwagha), Leptis Magna (Lubdah) and Oea (Tripoli itself). The city was badly devastated by the Vandals in the 5th century, and was almost paralysed during the Byzantine period where it remained so until the arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD. Tripoli then became Tarabulus, and gradually recovered its commercial status, linking the Sahara and the rest of Africa with Europe and Asia. By the the 15th century Tripoli became an international trading post, and declared its independence in 1460, albeit for a short while; as the city once again was attacked by the Spaniards, then the Turks, then the Knights of St John of Malta in the 16th century. Tripoli, Libya. During the Ottoman period Tripoli was renamed Tarabulus al-Gharb (West Tripoli) to distinguish it from Lebanon's Tripoli in the Middle East, in Asia; although even then some people still confuse Libyans with the people of Lebanon! After the Italian invasions of 1911 Tripoli began to grow in size beyond the confines of the Old Medina, and after the Second War (WWII), many families left the Old Medina to live in the new and recently vacated Italian villas and houses. By 1950s the population of Tripoli has grown to 100,000 and then to one million by 1980s, after Gaddafi's revolution of the First of September brought wealth and prosperity to the homes of every Libyan family and as a result Libya enjoyed an unprecedented economic expansion and development. The population of Tripoli today is estimated at 1.8 million. In short, Tripoli is one of the most exotic and alluring cities of the Mediterranean world. The vibrant atmosphere of the capital is rich in signposts of its long history and culture, from the Roman sites and the Old Medina, to the modern developments of booming Libya, where local Libyan traditions are mixed with Islamic, Byzantine and Turkish cultures to create a unique place, fast becoming a cosmopolitan city. With the recent lifting of the visa restriction and the opening of Libya to international investment and tourism, Tripoli once more is becoming an international business centre and fast emerging as the sun, sand and sea destination of the future. Places To Visit: The Green Square The Old Medina Assaraya Alhamra Museum Janzur Museum Tripoli's Shores Italian Façades The Red Fort or The Red Castle Arch of Marcus Aurelius Janzur Beach & the Tourist Village Hassle-free traditional souks (markets) Darghut Mosque Gurgi (Gurji) Mosque Ahmed Pasha Karamanli Mosque The Arch of Marcus Aurelius: Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Tripoli, Libya. The triumphal Arch of Marcus Aurelius marked the crossroads of two roads: the Cardo Maximus and Decumanus, providing an impressive welcome to the city from the harbour. The empty niches in the facades of the pillars once contained the statues of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus ('the wise') - the Roman emperor from the year 161 to 180, who also was a Stoicphilosopher and a writer of the literary work: Meditations. Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Libya. An evening meal at Alathar restaurant by the arch is truly a memorable occasion to remember Tripoli with. Gurji Mosque: Located west of Marcus Aurelius' Arch, this small but beautifully decorated 19th century building was built by the Turks, and is considered one of the best examples of Islamic stone carvings and floral motifs. The mosque houses the tomb of Mustapha Gurji and his family. Ahmed Pasha Karamanli Mosque: The mosque, built during 1730s, is the largest mosque in the medina, with 30 domes and an Ottoman-styled minaret. The mosque houses the tomb of Ahmed Pasha, the founder of the Karamanli dynasty, and his family. Its colourful ceilings are richly decorated with various geometrical patterns and Moorish designs. The wooden doors of the mosque are uniquely carved with floral decorations. The Red Castle or The red Fort Assaraya Alhamra, Tripoli, Libya. The Red Castle is an impressive building with an area of about 13000 square metres. The site originally was the location of a Roman fortified camp dating the 2nd century AD. In the 16th century the citadel was improved by adding defensive towers to aid in defending the building. The castle during the conflict between the Christians of and the Muslims of Turkey became a true house of horror, with leaders crucified, butchered, plagued, killed and exiled. The castle was the seat of power in Tripolitania ever since the Turkish Pashas used it as their official headquarters in the 16th century, and remained so until recently when things began to drastically change after the colonial wars at the start of the 20th century. The Red Castle Museum Assaraya Alhamra Museum (the Red Castle Museum), sometimes also known as the National Museum or Aljamahiriya Museum), is one of the must-see places in Tripoli; housing a rich collection of artifacts from various periods of Libyan history, right from the Stone Age and down to the White Revolution, including a wonderful collection of Greek and Roman statues and busts. The museum, part of the Red Castle building, came to life after the Italian occupation when the Italians turned a section of the building into a museum. Most of the other sections of the complex are currently used by the Libyan Department of Antiquities. The entrance to the Assaraya Alhamra Museum (the Red Castle Museum). The Goddess Venus at Assaraya Alhamra Museum The Old Medina The Old Medina, with its labyrinthine dark lanes, is an exotic place to see, bustling with life and shoppers and oozing with rich aromas of spices, coffee, nuts and sweets, emanating from every corner of this unique place. The local shops in the medina sell a wide range of traditional products such as silver, gold, copper, brass and fabrics. The earliest fortified wall around the town was built in the 4th century. Apparently Tripoli remained within the boundaries of the Medina until sometime during the 19th century when the city began to grow and subsequently spread beyond the boundaries of the Medina. Latest statistics indicate that about 3500 people still live in the medina. Many of the houses of city are in need of restoration work. Tripoli's Taxi Chariot Explore the streets of the capital the traditional way: a white chariot drawn by a white horse.


1-Nadi Bab al-Baher	2-Sidi Solieman Mosque	3-Ben Saber Mosque	4-Old British Consulate
5-Gurji Mosque	6-Old French Consulate	7-Sidi Abd Alwahab Mosque	8-Othman Basha Mosque
9-Second-Hand Bookshop	10-Turkish Prison (O. Church)	11-Catholic Cathedral	12-Banco di Roma
13-Darghut Mosque	14-Hammam Darghut	15-Al Kateis Mosque	16-Mohamed Basha Mosque
17-Yusuf Qaramanli House	18-Hammam Al Kebira	19-Sidi Katab Mosque	20-Tunis Garage (Bus & Taxi)
21-Mutahedeen Agency	22-Ben Latif Mosque	23-Charush Mosque	24-Huria Mosque
25-Druj Mosque	26-Kuaruba Mosque	27-Ottman Clock Tower	28-Traditional Teahouse
29-Assaraya Alhamra	30-Jamaheriya Museum	31-Police Station	32-Balcony
33-Old Castle Door	34-Ahmed Basha Mosque	35-Sufi Mosque	36-Ben Tabun Mosque
37-Knenara Mosque	38-An Naqah Mosque	39-Hammam Alheygha	40-Mat'am Assarai & Asharq

Sidi Abd Alwahab Mosque