Attractions

The old walled city of Tripoli, the Medina , is one of the classical sites of the Mediterranean. Its basic street plan was laid down in the Roman period when the walls were constructed on the landward sides to ward off against attacks from the interior of Tripolitania. The high walls survived many invasions, each conqueror restoring the damage done. In the 8th century the Muslim rulers built a wall on the sea-facing side of the city.

Three great gates give access to the town, Bab Zanata on the west, Bab Hawara on the southeast and Bab Al-Bahr in the north wall.

The old city has several key elements worth visiting. The old city walls are still standing and can be climbed. The Harbour Monument stands at the gates of the old city on the edge of the former corniche road adjacent to the castle. There are a number of restored houses, consulates and a synagogue in the narrow streets of the old city.

The castle, Al-Saraya Al-Hamra , is in the east quadrant of the old city. It occupies a site known to be pre-Roman and still dominates the skyline of Tripoli. Any tour of the old city should begin at the castle. It can be entered in to from the landside near Suq Al-Mushir. It offers excellent and panoramic views of the city from the walls. The castle has a good library and a well-organized museum. The Castle Museum is essentially concerned with the archaeology and ancient history of Libya. It covers the Phoenician, Greek and Roman periods well and has an expanding collection of materials on the Islamic period.

There are a number of fascinating mosques both in the old town and adjacent to it, including the Karamanli Mosque, the En-Naqah Mosque and the Gurgi Mosque . The best known of the Tripoli mosques is the Gurgi Mosque with its elegant architecture. It was built by Yussef Gurgi comparatively recently, in 1833.

If you wish to view just one of Tripoli's mosques, the Gurgi Mosque is the one to choose.

Modern Tripoli burst out from the tight confines of the old city as early as the 18th century or perhaps even before that. The main commercial streets are in the city-centre. Most of these streets start off from the Green Square in front of the castle. Walking around Tripoli centre is simple and straight. There are no unexpected alleys or complicated road-scapes.

Here is an itinerary for a tour of the modern city on foot. Begin at Green Square and walk west along Sharah Omar Mukhtar to reach the private business district. Turn round at the Tripoli Fair building and return to Green Square. Go south down Sharah Mohammed Magarief towards the post office and former cathedral. From the post office square (Maidan Al-Jaza'er) either turn directly right to Sharah Tahiti and then right again into one of the commercial thorough-fares with small Arab lock-up shops. Alternatively go on past the post office towards the People's Palace and then turn right, to the harbor front and back towards the Green Square. Just keep in mind that the Green Square is the hub of the city and you won't get lost.

All street names are in Arabic but Libyans will happily assist and give proper directions. The people of the city are very friendly and more so than in other parts of Libya. After walking around town all day (driving will drive you mad), you don't have to leave town to get a dip. The beaches of Tripoli are there just in front of you, and clean enough to take a swim.

Tripoli continues to be one of the most beautiful cities along the Mediterrenean Sea. The seaside promenade in the modern part is impressive, but perhaps a little bit laid back. Commercials are not choking its charm, but there could have been more activity going on.

One of the few museums being recommended is the costly Jamahiriya Museum, which is far less of the air-less box, which museums are in general.

A word is due on the merchants of the city. They are not out there to ram things down your throat. They do sell souvenirs, but they are not going for your money. This has to do with the Libyan economy being far better than that of the poorer neighbouring countries. At the same time they have also seen to it that old traditions are not losing its true content.