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Tripoli...city
of undisturbed heritage & Traditional Riches |
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Lebanon's second largest city & the "Capital of the North",
Tripoli is a modern city that has well preserved its
charming history. It's where the past and present merge in
perfect harmony, reflecting on its people's unique
livelihood and hospitality...
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A city of
remarkable cultural riches, Tripoli has a unique polish of
medieval oriental traditions that its inhabitants kept very
much alive till this day. Underneath its captivating modern
looks, Tripoli holds remarkable historical treasures dating
back to around 1400 B.C. The city is divided into two parts;
the first, Al Mina, is the old port area and where ancient
Tripoli once stood. The second is the town of Tripoli, which
is the commercial, financial, & residential centre of the
city. A visitor to Tripoli will probably pass by 4 or 5
historical sites while taking a taxi ride from the hotel to
the market, as there are 45 sites officially registered by
the ministry of tourism. |
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A very
famous landmark is the magnificent Citadel of Tripoli,
also known as Saint Gilles' Citadel; its construction
dates back to the Fatimid era. The citadel was converted
to a church by the crusaders, and in the early 19th
century it was restored by Mustapha Barbar Agha
(governor of Tripoli back then) who turned it into a
grand fortress. Today, the Citadel of Tripoli stands
restored, overlooking the city, and welcoming visitors
every day.
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Numerous historical mosques also set Tripoli apart
from other cities, some of these glorious structures
are over 700 years old and are still open for
visitors and worshipers. These mosques reflect the
warm, relaxed, and traditional identity of the old
city.
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The
oldest mosque in the city is the Great Mosque which
was built in the 12th century over the remains of
the crusaders' Saint Mary's Cathedral. The mosque,
its “Madrassa” (theological school), and the many
inscriptions on its walls and foundations tell a lot
about life during the Mamluke era.
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The old
marketplaces or “souks” of Tripoli are unseparable from the
city’s traditional identity. Some souks are over six
centuries old and still jam with shops that sell all kinds
of commodities; like spices, perfumes, meat, fish, as well
as gold, souvenirs and brass artifacts. Of the oldest souks
are Souk Al-Haraj, Khan Al-Khayyatin, and Khan Al-Misriyyin.
Another attraction of Tripoli is its Hammamat; which are
public bathing houses that where originally introduced into
the city during the Mamluke’s period around 1300 A.D. There
is a place where you can go today for a bath from the past;
it’s name is Hammam Al-Abed. Built nearly 300 years ago, it
has everything it takes to make visitors feel they’re living
back in the Mamluke and Ottoman eras; from ceiling domes to
a water fountain and windows decorations. |
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Along with
its traditional riches, Tripoli is a very lively city
that enjoys all the business and leisure facilities of a
modern metropolis; it has everything from malls to
theatres, beach resorts, sidewalk cafes and high class
restaurants. Visitors go to the old port or “Mina” of
Tripoli for a boat ride or for a good fish meal at one
of its many seafood restaurants. The Mina over- looks a
few small islands that bring out the sea’s beauty during
sunset. |
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Tripoli is
a must-visit city for its people’s warm welcome, their
hospitality, and of course the city’s unique, pleasant
character. It’s a city which has meticulously preserved
its glorious history for future generations to behold. |
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For more
information about Tripoli, Click Here |
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