Tripoli, Port capital in northwestern Libya
Tripoli stretches along the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Libya, serving as the country's capital and major port. The cityscape combines wide modern roads with the walled old quarter that reaches down to the water.
Phoenician traders founded a trading post here in the 7th century BCE, which grew as Oea under Roman rule. Arab conquerors reached the coast in the 7th century CE and gave the city its current name.
Residents gather at Green Square, a wide plaza in the city center, where urban life comes alive after sunset. Cafes along the waterfront promenade stay open late, serving tea and pastries in the sea breeze.
Visitors move most easily through the port districts and boulevards in cooler morning light, before midday heat sets in. The narrow lanes of the medina require comfortable shoes and a careful eye for winding passages.
The Gurgi Mosque displays marble columns from Italy, ceramic tiles from Turkey, and stonework created by craftsmen from several countries. This mix of different materials and techniques from across the Mediterranean reflects the city's trading connections during the 19th century.
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