All that interests you as a tourist about Tripoli

Tripoli is not an ordinary city, but rather it is one of the jewels that sparkle in the sky of Lebanese tourism, with its amazing landmarks and shrines. There are mosques dating back to the Ottoman era and other ancient times, as well as churches and similar historical buildings. All this and more we will talk about in detail in this article so that the topic is an important guide for every tourist who yearns to visit that city so that he knows all the information that interests him about it.

How do you get to Tripoli?

Tripoli is located an hour away from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, via the highway, as it is located in the northern part of the State of Lebanon.

Historical background of Tripoli

Although some historical documents indicate that the oldest historical presence of the city dates back to the fourteenth century AD, the real history of Tripoli begins in the ninth century BC. As it was then home to the Phoenician civilization that ruled that country with all of Sidon, Tyre, and other cities, including what is currently Lebanese. However, Tripoli used to enjoy a very special place in that civilization. This is due to its strategic maritime location in the Mediterranean, in addition to the fact that it possesses an excellent port at the time, and even a number of islands that make it an excellent geographical, commercial and military importance.

From the Phoenician civilization, we move quickly to the Hellenistic civilization, where Alexander and his successors made the city an important naval center. Its importance continued in Roman times as well as during the era of the Umayyad Islamic state. Rather, this importance continued until the Fatimid era, when it enjoyed self-rule.

However, those wonderful conditions for the city did not last long. It was quickly occupied by the Crusades, and very important parts were destroyed, such as the House of Knowledge, which contained thousands of important books. But soon after that, the city became under the rule of Sultan Qalawun, who saw the huge scale of destruction in the city, so he ordered it to be completely demolished and rebuilt again. This city continued until the Ottoman era, when it was at its height from the sixteenth century until the eighteenth century. As it is that era whose effects are still present in the city.

The most important tourist attractions in Tripoli

Great Mosque

It is a mosque built approximately in the fourteenth century AD on the ruins of an old church that had been built by the Crusaders who occupied the city in the past. You will enjoy a lot, dear tourist, by visiting it, as it combines architecture and art in the Mamluk era, as well as that belonging to the Western Crusader eras.

Saint Gilles Castle

It is without a doubt one of the most important tourist attractions in Tripoli. And not only because of its high altitude, which enables you to see the entire city from above. Rather, because it represents a time train, by riding it, you review a large number of ancient times, including the urban effects it left behind. The one who built the castle was one of the Crusaders, and the castle architecture was slightly affected by the Fatimid art, then it was rebuilt by the Mamluks due to its importance, and the Mamluk influence appeared in it. The Ottomans later rebuilt it, and traditional Turkish art appeared there as well. All of this will be available for you to visit between eight in the morning and four in the afternoon.

Al-Qartawiyyat School

It is close to the Great Mosque, which was built by Sultan Kartay, so it was named after him. And it has many wonderful decorations and collectibles that you will not tire of contemplating and taking pictures of.

Tawashi School

It is a school built in the fifteenth century, as it is characterized by wonderful decorations, columns and corners, as well as the wonderful materials that contribute to its decoration, such as basalt stone. Which you will be very happy to visit.

The Hanging Mosque

It is an archaeological landmark built during the reign of the well-known Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. You will be very impressed by its octagonal dome, but the reason for its name is due to the height on which it is located. It’s a great opportunity to explore it.

Ezz El Din Bath House

Of course, you cannot be located in Tripoli and do not visit this wonderful historical place, which in fact does not date back to the history of its founder, the Mamluk Sultan Ezz al-Din Aybak. But in fact, it goes back further than that. Where the bathroom in the past was nothing but a church built in the Crusader times. Hence, your visit in the place will be an exploration of what dates back to what was built during the reign of the Sultan and what was built during the era of the Crusaders, whose remains are still there. Which undoubtedly makes your visit there more interesting.

Bartasyat Madrasa Mosque

Here are many wonderful decorations that are undoubtedly worth seeing and photographing. There you find mosaics, ornaments, and marble, as well as triangular domes, in an ancient art scene that is rarely repeated, so do not miss visiting it when you are there.

Soap Khan

This place dates back to the seventeenth century AD, where the style of the khans was in the past. You can visit his favorite How were the khans in previous times. That there is no deserted place. Rather, it is used by his merchants.

New Bath House

And of course, as you visited the bath of Aibek, you must visit this bath, which is the largest bath in the whole of Tripoli. Although it is newer than the Aipek bath, as its establishment dates back to the eighteenth century. However, it has a lot of wonderful things that will dazzle you when you visit.

Khan Al-Khayyat

It was built in the fourteenth century AD. Where you find a number of shops there in a long corridor, and in this corridor there is also a column with marble decorations. All of the above is enough to give you great views.

Khan al-Masryeen (The Egyptian Caravan)

It is a group of taverns established in the fourteenth century AD surrounding a square with a fountain so that the whole place provides you with an unforgettable tour.

Haraj Market

It is a place that dates back to the fourteenth century AD and has a wonderful building. And this is in terms of its high dome and its columns on which the dome rests, which number 14 columns of granite, giving the place an unforgettable grandeur and grandeur.

Tainal Mosque

And this mosque you will find outside the old city of Tripoli. It was built by a Mamluk named Taynal. It was originally a church. You will find there many features such as the Roman columns that are in the origin of the church as well as the architectural decoration and the door. The things we find were made in the Mamluk style. And do not forget, of course, to visit the tomb of the founder of the mosque located in the place.

Palm Island

It is also known as Rabbit Island. It is located directly in front of the port city of Tripoli. As it is a natural reserve that includes a number of turtles and migratory birds, in addition to containing a number of distinguished Roman ruins. We advise you, dear tourist, to visit this island between October and June.

Tripoli International Fair

It is not an archaeological building. It was built in the late sixties and early seventies of the last century by a Brazilian architect named Oscar. Rather, the building is incomplete. Nevertheless, it is a tourist destination for many visitors to the place. We also advise you to visit it, as it has many attractions.

Sfeirah

Frankly, we did not find a better place than this archaeological place to end our tour in Tripoli. There is a complex of altars and temples dating back to the second century AD that you will enjoy exploring.