Tripoli : (Trablos)

85 km north of Beirut, falls Tripoli, a city that shares in the long history of the Levantine coast. Founded by the three cities of Sidon, Tyre and Arados Island during the Persian era, it became the center of a confederation, where Phoenicians met to debate their important affairs.

Since its foundation, probably in the 9th century BC, until the end of the Crusader period, Tripoli was situated around the Al-Mina port district. After its destruction by the Mamlukes in 1289, however, it was replaced by a new town near the hill of the Crusader Castle of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, founder of the County of Tripoli. The castle has been renovated and changed many times during its history, most recently in the early 19th century. Tripoli is a veritable living museum, preserving nearly a hundred important monuments from Crusader, Mamluke and Ottoman times. Distinguished remnants of the Mamluke period include the Great Mosque and the Mosque of Taynal, built with elements from ancient and Crusader monuments. Islamic religious schools known as Madrasas, the ancient bazaars, khans (caravansaries) and hammams (baths) add oriental charms to the modern city. Today Tripoli is a prosperous industrial and business center. Known as the capital of the North, it is the second largest city in Lebanon.