Tripoli (Trablos),
some 85 km north of Beirut and the second largest city in Lebanon, shares in the long history of the Levantine coast. It was the center of a Phoenician confederation with Sidon and Tyre and Arados Island
-hence the name "Tripolis" meaning "triple city" . The modern city is extremely rich in monuments from the Crusader and later Mameluke times. From the foot of the Citadel, the old town extends towards the busy international port. Tripoli is famous for its ancient markets, furniture, sweets and artisanat.
Here are walls, the monumental gateway and inner courtyard of the Castle of St.
Giles, built by the Franks. Distinguished remnants of the Mameluke period are the Mosque of Teynal, and the Mosque of
Al-Attar.
Islamic religious schools known as "madrassas" bear
witness to the brilliance of Tripoli in the Middle Ages. The
ancient bazaars, towers, khans (caravansaries) and baths add
oriental charm to the modern city, which is now a prosperous
industrial and business center.
