Archive for the ‘Tripoli’ Category
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May16
The Mahary-Radisson Blu Hotel
The historic Mahari Hotel, once a Libyan government run 5 star hotel in Tripoli, has been transformed and now is part of the Radisson family of hotels. Now called the Radisson Blue, the new management and facelift has taken what was once a grand but decaying hotel with a spectacular location on the corniche, to a truly 5-star experience and living up to the standards of the Radisson name. The re-branding has included substantial work on modernizing the hotel and all its rooms, adding decorations, new restaurants, facilities, a superb business lounge on the 15th floor overlooking the city, and better trained staff.Recreational amenities at Al Mahary Radisson Blu Hotel Tripoli include an outdoor pool, a health club, and a spa tub. Other amenities include a full-service health spa, a poolside bar, and a restaurant.
Guestrooms open to balconies with city, sea or pool views and feature complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms come with bathrobes and designer toiletries. The Radisson Blu has aggressively targeted the high-end business traveler to Tripoli, competing directly with the Corinthia Hotel, what was once the only 5-star hotel in the city.
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May4
The Jamahiriya Museum
The Jamahiriya Museum in the heart of Tripoli, is an excellent museum in all respects. Both the exhibits and the presentation make this one of the finest museums in the world.
The museum ranges from Neolithic ages until the modern age, across 47 galleries on 4 floors. With such a size, and the apparent similarity between very different times and cultures, it may either be a swift run-through or a two or three day delight.
Did you know that Libyans ruled Egypt in the Late Period? That Libyans were a serious challenge and enemy of the Egyptians at the height of Pharaonic power? That Libya produced one of the emperors of the Roman Empire? That Libya was the corn chamber of Rome?
The ground level shows a quick journey through several periods, from 300,000 years back in time to the green VW Beetle of the young Gadhafi. The exhibits crosses through rock art and pottery up to 10,000 years old until Roman times.
Among the most impressive exhibits is the fantastic mausoleum from Ghirza (top photo), a state independent from Rome, yet culturally influenced. There are also exhibits from the Garamantian Empire (see Germa) and Slonta, everything of vital importance to a complete impression of Libyan culture and history.
In Gallery 6 is the Phoenician exhibition, which is particularly interesting because of this period’s importance and its near non-existence across Libyan sites. Phoenician culture rings more of a bell, telling that Carthage (now Tunisia) was part of this.
The most impressive gallery of the museum is probably the Roman. It is dominated by superb statues, most having been taken from Leptis Magna. Oea (same location as modern Tripoli) and Sabratha are also represented, then mainly with mosaics.
The 1st floor covers the transition from Roman, through the Christian Byzantine to the Islamic era. The 2nd floor shows Islamic culture. Passing on to the 3rd floor, exhibits become drastically less impressive than the ground floor, but instead you get great impressions of daily life for the average person, showing things like a Turkish kitchen, clothes and artefacts of the different peoples of Libya.
The 4th floor is mainly dedicated to modern Libyan history, including whole galleries showing nothing but pictures of Gadhafi.
Should not the first 38 galleries be enough for you, the last 9 are devoted to natural history. Actually not to be missed, animal life of Libya is quite elusive while you move around the country by yourself.
Prices and hours / Admission 3LD, camera permission 5LD and video permission 10LD. Open all days except Monday, 08.00-14.00, Fridays also 16.00-18.00. This also include entry into the Tripoli Castle
Republished courtesy of LookLex.
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March29
Marcus Aurelius Arch
Libya is known as a country of startling contrasts and magnificent scenery, with some of the most interesting antiquities in the world. It is one of the last unspoilt countries on the Mediterranean Sea, teaming with outstanding classical ruins, bustling markets, fertile oases, cultural diversity, and breathtakingly beautiful deserts.
Our North African country shelters some of the most interesting, best-preserved archaeological ruins from the Roman and Greek periods.
Among these ruins are three World Heritage sites, that along with a chequered history that goes back to the sea-faring Phoenicians and Carthaginians.
The fact that the country in modern times had been closed to the conventional tourist, combine to make Libya very popular among tourists who want to visit some of the world’s best Roman ruins. Libya is in fact home to the finest Roman ruins in the world.
The capital, Tripoli, is a stunning city that more than lives up to the moniker ‘The jewel of the Mediterranean.
It is a city that brims with history, starting with the Medina (Old City) and its narrow whitewashed streets and crammed with mosques (the highlights of which are the Gurgi and the Karamanli mosques) and private dwellings that date from the Ottoman period and are constructed around internal courtyards.
Inside the Medina are the bustling souks (markets), and the last traces of Roman occupation, foremost of which is the city’s castle, constructed over many centuries, that has the discernible Ottoman and Spanish influences, and is home to the National or Jamahiriya Museum.
Another trace of the Roman occupation and very well known is the Roman triumphal marble Arch of Marcus Aurelius, situated close to the Medina and the Green Square in the Libyan capital. Its marble was imported from Greece.
This surprisingly well-preserved arch of Roman co-Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Antoninus Augustus) dates from AD163. Marcus Aurelius lived for 59 years, between 121 and 180 AD.
The arch was built as a testament to the might of the Roman army. Its sturdy appearance may be easier to understand when you learn that the authorities relocated it from Leptis Magna.
Built in the Greek style this arch, that straddles the decumanus maximus and the cardo-maximus in the ancient Roman city of Oea, which is now Tripoli, testifies to the existence of the ancient Roman city.
Besides Roman columns re-used in newer buildings in the medina, this is the only existing Roman monument in the city.
Examining the engravings on the arch, one can see the goddess Ath-ena riding in a chariot towed by griffin and images of local people surrendering to the Roman forces.
Marcus Aurelius was the last of the “Five Good Emperors” who governed the Roman Empire from 96 to 180, and is also considered one of the most important stoic philosophers.
His tenure was marked by wars in Asia against a revitalized Par-thian Empire, and with Germanic tribes along the limes Germanicus into Gaul and across the Danube.
Marcus Aurelius was kown as an intelligent, serious-minded and hardworking young man. He was never very strong physically. But those close to him spoke with admiration of his devotion to duty in spite of the handicap of physical weakness.
He was very well loved and when he was going to be made emperor he refused unless equal powers were conferred simultaneously on his brother Lucius Commodus. They ruled jointly.
Two emperors thus ruled the Roman world for the first time, an innovation, but like most Roman innovations one for which there was ample precedence. It set an example that was followed with increasing frequency.
Marcus and Lucius were joint rules then, but Marcus had more authority. He had been consul once more than Lucius.
Most important still, Marcus Aurelius had shared in the imperial powers for nerly 14 years and he was ten years older than Lucius.
There was little doubt in men’s mi-nds whch emperor was the senior. But they were to work together for the good of the state.
Marcus Aurelius died on March 17, 180 in the city of Vindobona (modern Vienna).
He was immediately deified and his ashes were reutrned to Rome, and rested in Hadrian’s mausoleum (modern Castel Sant’Angelo).
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March5
White Bride of the Mediterranean
TRIPOLI – The White Bride of the Mediterranean
Tripoli, a city of 2,5 million, is a pleasant port in North Africa also known as the White Bride of the Mediterranean with a walled medieval Medina. Ottoman houses stand shoulder to shoulder with faded Italian colonial buildings. Easily the most dominant feature of Tripoli is the Red Castle, Assai al-Hamra, which sits on the northern promontory. Next to the Castle is Green Square, an area cleared for political rallies during World War ll. All the main shopping and business streets radiate from here.
Explore the souks and alleyways of the old city (Medina) on foot. Visitors will find the best shopping around here and also historical mosques, khans (inns) houses and hammams. Bus and taxi stations are south west of the old city.
What else to do when staying in Tripoli
Tripoli’s National Jamahiriya Museum (entrance on Green Square) houses the best collection of classical art in North Africa.
Citadel -Tripoli Castle
Visit a Hammam – there are two Hammams in the old City – Hammam Draghut next door to the Draghut Mosque and Hammam al-Heygha, near Souk al-Attara. (They operate a rota for men and women).
Beaches – The beaches are on the Western side of the city with changing facilities and cafes.
There is plenty more to do in Tripoli depending on what the visitor prefers to do.
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February13
Al-Athar Restaurant
Al-Athar Restaurant ( “The Ruins”) is one of Tripoli’s most famous restaurants, and popular with tourists. It is located right behind the Marcus Aurelius arch and has a unique vibe all it’s own. The restaurant has a summer embankment surrounding Marcus Aurelius arch from three sides, and often has musical bands playing on most nights.
Eat here at least once, depending on the days you intend to spend in Tripoli. A very ambient experience,best time is the evening when the Arch is illuminated.
Menu: A classical Libyan menu. Libyan soup, small salad dish, couscous with fish or chicken, or a traditional “Tajeen”
- Specialty: popular meals (fish & meat) made on the Libyan kitchen style.
- Seating Capacity: 150 seating capacity in winter, expanded to 350 al fresco in summer.
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January29
Tripoli’s Gurgi Mosque
Named for Youssef Gurgi, a Georgian captive who rose to become a naval commander of Tripoli, the heavily Turkish-influenced Gurgi Mosque was built by the Ottomans in 1833 and its delightful and unique floral design motifs and unusual design makes it a popular attraction for tourists.
Although quite small compared to other mosques, the Gurgi Mosque stands out for its interior – the most beautiful in the city. Intricate stone carvings imported from Morocco, marble from Italy, and ceramic work from Tunisia and exquisite adornments and attention to detail make this mosque a very fascinating place to visit.
It has an octagonal minaret, which is unusual for Tripoli. Although the mosque is quite small in size, it still has a large number of domes – 16 to be exact.Gurgi and his family are interred in the antechamber of the mosque.
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January21
Tripoli Fish Market
The Libyan capital, Tripoli, is famous among many Mediterranean cities for the high quality of various species of fish and the low price to buy it. For those who are always seeking the right fish dish and enjoy buying a just-out-of-the Mediterranean water fish a new market, right at the edge of the water near the Old City, has just been opened. It is just across the road from the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, a great tourist site.
On September 6, the sixth day of the holy month of Ramadan a number of Libyan top officials and a large crowd of people gathered on the site for the official opening of the building housing the new fish market. As it turns out, the building is very modern, equipped with equipped with new facilities that make it very attractive for the customers and visitors. The place is also air-conditioned and represents a treat to all those who buy and sell fish.
The market has a total of 48 vendors behind neatly arranged stalls lined up and divided into two halls to serve the public. A number of vendors line the place leaving enough space for fish buyers to easily move around and to pick the fresh fish from any one of the stalls or just to enjoy walking around breathing in the smell of fresh Mediterranean fish.
During the early hours of the morning, fishermen pour in with their catch of the day. Then the fish is neatly displayed and a bargain can always be had, not just at a reasonable, but even better, at a rather cheap price, particularly as each and every vendor tries his best to sell his stock before the end of the day.
Having bought your favourite fish, you can step forward to the fishing cleaning area where a number of young Libyans will be waiting to professionally clean and cut them out for you at just one dinar per kilo.
If one is interested in the fish wholesale market, this is only a few metres away. The wholesale market, also part of the newly established fish market complex. It opens its doors as early as 4.30 a.m. and if stock is still available, it won’t close until 9.00 p.m.
The new fish market is equipped with three huge icemakers that provide ice to vendors on demand and free of charge. It also has eight large cooling containers that are used as storage along with a water desalination station especially built for the fish market.
The fish market also has a medical observation unit with a laboratory so tests could be run to run on fish being sold in the market at different times of the day.
According to the manager of the market Mr. Ali Embarak, the Tripoli fish market is the first of its kind in Libya. It is also the first in serious that are to be established in major Libyan costal cities in the near future.
The setting up of the Tripoli fish market is part of a public policy that pays attention to the maritime economic sector and its development in a way it can attract thousands of Libyan workers.
Mr. Sadiq Azzouz, Director of Projects at the General Authority of Maritime Wealth, said his institution is focusing on establishing a modern infrastructure for the fishing sector. He said that a number of projects are soon to commence in a number of cities on the Libyan coast.
He mentioned the rather big project for fishing industry which is being constructed in Tajoura area in the suburbs of Tripoli. The project includes a marina large enough for 400 small-sized fishing boats, 50 large fishing trawlers and 15 overseas fishing boats. He said that the objective would be able to produce 10,000 tones of fish every year and provide 4000 job opportunities for Libyan citizens.
The project also includes a training centre for potential fishermen, shopping areas, fish restaurants, coffee shops and entertainment facilities.
The founding stone for this new project to cost approximately 90 million Libyan dinars is to be laid in the next few days.
A similar project is located in Zawia, 40 km west of Tripoli. It is a part of the maritime wealth projects set up at a cost of 39 million dinars (over $30m). This project is estimated to provide more than 1000 job opportunities. It will also provide berthing places for 200 fishing units and 15 cranes.
This in addition to new fishing harbours to be constructed in Susa and Darna in the eastern part of Libya.
This article was originally published in the Tripoli Post.
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December11
The Red Castle – “Assaraya Al-Hamra”
The meticulously preserved Red Castle — “Assaraya Al-Hamra” in Arabic — is a historical symbol and defining landmark of Tripoli, and houses the extravagant National Museum — Libya’s finest museum, which boasts an impressive collection of classical and neolithic antiquities and treasures, including items of Phoenician, Greek, Berber, Roman and Islamic origin; including mosaics, marble and stone sculptures, murals, fossilized animals and mummies, and a host of other rich archaeological and historical treasures collected from throughout Libya.
The Red Castle’s image is ubiquitously used in logos for many Tripoli ministries and government organizations, and is considered the historic core of the city along with Green Square and the Medina.
For centuries, those who held the keys to the Red Castle controlled the city of Tripoli, and the Red Castle, naturally enough, derives it’s name from it’s reddish color.
It was originally a Roman fortified camp, but it was not until the Knights of St.John made extensive renovations and enhancements during their occupation of Tripoli in the 16th century that it truly became a true defensive fortress capable of defending the city. The Red Castle is partially surrounded by an artificial lake, and while certainly not the original purpose, it greatly enhances the aesthetic qualities and atmosphere.
It is here that the rulers of Tripoli, from Turkish Governors to the Karamanli dynasty, their families, and the elite lived. Besides the National Museum housed in the Red Castle, there are intricate alleys and courtyards, and one can get a surreal feeling in the Red Castle, a glimpse back in history to a time vastly different from our own.
Tourists visiting Tripoli make it a point to visit the Red Castle and the National Museum, and throngs of people, from families to couples, are always milling about on the walkway around the Red Castle and it’s serene artificial lake, at all times of day.
Below is a photo of the Red Castle at night –
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