Tripoli Things to Do Tips by iwys Top 5 Page for this destination

Gurgi Mosque

The Gurgi Mosque was built in 1833 by Yussef aka Mustapha Gurgi , a sea captain who originally came from Georgia. You can see his tomb, through a window, in an antechamber to the right of the minbar. Nine columns support a roof made up of sixteen small domes. The mosque's minaret, which is the tallest of all Tripoli's mosques, is octagonal in shape and has two balconies.

This was the last of Tripoli's mosques built in the Ottoman period and it has the most lavishly decorated interior of any of the Medina's 38 mosques, with marble columns imported from Italy, ceramic tiles from Tunisia and stone carvings from Morocco.

Address: Sharia Hara Kebir

Directions: In the northern part of the Medina, just behind the Arch of Marcus Aurelius

Souq al-Mushir

Souq al-Mushir is the first souq you will come to as you enter the Medina from Green Square. It runs northwards along the Medina's main throroughfare, parallel to Souq al-Turk. Halfway along it, you will see Maidan Essa and the Ottoman Clock Tower. There is an open air cafe here, which is a good place to take break.

The souq gets very, very busy, so you will probably find yourself taking one of the sidestreets to escape the crowds. The first sidestreet on the left leads into Souq al-Attara.

Former Royal Palace

If you think the National Library looks like a palace, you are not far wrong because that's exactly what it used to be. Built in the 1930s, it was the Royal Palace of the last King of Libya, King Idris, until after the revolution when it became the People's Palace.

It's a big, spectacular building.

Address: National Library, Sharia an-Nasr

Directions: Walk south-east from Maidan al-Jezayir, along Sharia Mohammed Megharief and you'll see it directly in front of you at the end of the street.

Dar Karamanli

Dar Karamanli was the house of Yusuf Karamanli, the Ottoman Pasha of Tripoli from 1795 to 1832, who has the unusual honour in the history books of being the first ruler of any state to declare war on the United States.

Yusuf was part of the Karamanli dynasty which ruled Tripoli for more than a century. They took their name from their original hometown of Karaman in Turkey.

The 200-year-old house features colonnades and balconies around an open courtyard with a central fountain. It has been restored and now houses the Tripoli Historical Exhibition, featuring rooms with traditional furnishings and costumes.

It is open Tues-Sun, 9am-1.30pm. Admission 2LD.

Directions: Just off Sciara Arba'a Arsat (the four Roman columns crossroads), in the Medina.

Sidi Abdul Wahab Mosque

This tiny mosque is named after the 14th century holy man, Sheikh Sidi Abdul Wahab, who is buried here. For this reason it has become a pilgrimage site and, as it stands right next to Tripoli harbour, it is the mosque where Libyans should say their final prayers before setting off for the Haj in Saudi Arabia.

Directions: In the north of the Medina, in front of the Arch of Marcus Aurelius

Al-Quds Mosque

Yahzarkom Arts Centre

Othman Pasha Madrassa

Druj Mosque

This pretty, whitewashed mosque has an unusual overhanging minaret. It also has a Roman column built into the wall.

Directions: In the Medina

Red Castle

Red Castle, also known as Tripoli Castle or Assai al Hamra, is an imposing citadel which overlooks the waterfront of the old city. It is built on the site of a Roman fortified camp. For centuries Tripoli's rulers, including the Knights of St. John and the Otttomans, were based here. In the seventeenth cenury the castle was completely surrounded by a water-filled moat. Nowadays there is only water on one side.

The castle covers an area of 13,000 square metres and today it houses the national museum.

Directions: The castle stands at the western end of Tripoli harbour and is entered from Green Square.