Tripoli Sightseeing Guide

Tripoli is the also the main port of the country. It houses most of the administrative buildings in the country. The old part of the town retains much of its, well…old-world ambience and is the most full-of-character city in the country.

The Assai al-Hamra (the Red Castle), a vast palace complex with numerous courtyards dominates the city skyline. There are some lovely classical statues and fountains from the Ottoman period scattered about the castle. 

The Gurgi and the Karamanli Mosques, with their intricate decorations and tilework, are fine examples of the artistic skills of local craftsmen.

 The old walled city of Tripoli, the Medina, is one of the classical sites of the Mediterranean. The basic street plan of the medina was laid down in the Roman period when the walls were constructed as protection against attacks from the interior of Tripolitania. In the 8th century a wall on the sea-facing side of the city was added.  

 Three gates provided 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 walls are still standing and can be climbed for good views. The Harbour Monument stands at the gates of the old city and there are a number of restored houses, consulates and a synagogue in the narrow streets here. 

The medina is filled with traditional ware including some fine jewellery and clothes, and a very good museum – the new Jamahiriya Museum.The only surviving Roman monument in the city – the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, marks the northern end of the medina.  

The city has some good museums and archives, including the National Archives, the Government Library, the Ethnographic Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Epigraphy Museum and the Islamic Museum.