From the Ottoman Features to the Heart of the Mameluke City
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When you reach the main and central "Tell" square of Tripoli, my dear visitor, you'll find the Ottoman Clocktower that is one of the most significant features of Tripoli. It was built in 1901-1902 by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid as a gift to the citizens of Tripoli when he celebrated his 25th anniversary as an Ottoman Sultan. It is a stony construction, 30 meters high, and made of 5 floors. Near the clocktower are the Menshiyeh park and the Ottoman "Nawfal" palace, that is currently used by the municipality of Tripoli as a cultural center. Around the "Tell" square are several hotels, as well as many residential and commercial buildings that date back to the Ottoman period. In a less than a minute of walk, you may visit the "Koura" square and another minute separates you from the "Sultan alAshraf Kalawoon" square (alias, Nejmeh), bordering the old city. From this point, you can start the touristic tours and dive in the charm of the Orient by visiting the beautifully decorated historical monuments. |
