Introducing Tripoli (Trablous)
Tripoli (Trablous in Arabic), 85km north of Beirut, is Lebanon’s second-largest city and the north’s main port. Famous for its medieval Mamluk architecture, old city souq, huge fortress and teeth-clenchingly sweet pastries, its charms were sadly overshadowed in 2007 by the deadly and drawn-out confrontation between Palestinian militants and the Lebanese army, centred on the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp around 16km from the city centre. On 20 May 2007, militants and Lebanese police began battling it out in Tripoli itself, before fighting moved to Nahr al-Bared; Lebanese soldiers finally took control of the camp in September 2007. Alleged ties between the militant group and Al-Qaeda lent events a particularly sinister and gloomy edge.
Its image tarnished as a result, Tripoli is currently struggling to entice tourists back to its markets and monuments. Certainly, there’s plenty to keep a visitor entertained for a couple of days, and with one good budget hotel and one excellent top-end choice, there are accommodation options for every pocket. Since few tourists currently make it this far north, you’ll have no problem finding an available room or restaurant table.
Advertisement
