"Tripoli" Tripoli by Cham

Tripoli Travel Guide: 136 reviews and 393 photos

A view of Tripoli from the Castle walls - Tripoli

The second Largest City in lebanon

Tripoli is lebanon's second largest city, and became part of lebanon in 1920. The city's name is of greek origin meaning "triple city" and today it is still a busy trading hub because of it's natural ports and 500,000 inhabitants, not to mention the Large souks in downtown.

History of Tripoli

Tripoli's castle from the inside

Under Roman rule in about 64 BC the city flourished and was extended south. This was detroyed along with other coastal cities by an earthquake and tidal wave in 551. In the 9th century BC the Pheonicians established a small trading center there. In direct competition with sidon and tyre as port towns to control the sea trade. Later the city was taken over by the persians and then in the 12th century it was invaded by the crusaders who destroyed much of the city including the Dar ll-llm library along with it's volumes. The city was ruled by the crusaders for approx 180 years and fell in 1289 to the Mamluk Sultan Qalaoun who destroyed the port city (Al-Mina) and a new city to be built inland nearer the castle.

The city then fell into Ottoman rule in 1516 and has remained a commericially important port ever since. In 1918 the turks gave up Tripoli and it became officially a part of lebanon in 1920.

Last visit to Tripoli: Apr 2005
Intro Written Jan 9, 2006
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (8)

Hammam el-Abed (Turkish Baths) Things to Do (3)

You can enter the Hammam to have a look around, i would check with the guy on duty before you burst in there as its... more travel advice

Prices in arabic Shopping (1)

Many of the prices in Tripoli unlike Beirut will be in Lebanese Lira, although they do take US dollars as well. The... more travel advice

Walk the streets of Tripoli Off The Beaten Path (1)

Tripoli's center is very built up When looking from the castle walls (see castle tip for picture) it gives you some... more travel advice

Take A Tour Transportation (1)

If you're staying in beirut and it's too much hassle for you to take a taxi or a service taxi to the city then book... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Remember to haggle

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Safety of historical sites for children

Comments (4)

Reply
- Report abuse
RickinDutch Jan 4, 2007 at 10:33 AM

Nicely written tips. Greetings from Alaska!
Reply
- Report abuse
Little_Lou_Lou Mar 9, 2006 at 7:30 AM

I like that one too. I am going to have it blown up to put on the wall in the music room....
Reply
- Report abuse
TheWanderingCamel Feb 23, 2006 at 5:53 AM

I really enjoyed Tripoli - your comments on the soap are spot on - I too wish I'd bought more! Good advice too about safety in some places. Cheers - leyle
Reply
- Report abuse
craic Jan 17, 2006 at 8:15 PM

Nice page about a really interesting place.