Tripoli - City Sights

Gurgi Mosque

How many domes are found on the roof of the mosque's main prayer hall?

15

Approximately how tall is the minaret?

25 m

The minaret is notable for its balconies made from which material?

Green marble

What type of artistic decoration is commonly used to adorn the floors and walls of traditional mosques?

Multi-coloured Qallalin tiles

Which architectural styles are combined in the design of the Gurgi Mosque?

Ottoman and European geometric elements

In which part of the Gurgi Mosque are the tombs of Mustafa Gurgi and his family situated?

In the antechamber to the right of the entrance

How many entrances are there in total at the mosque?

Two

Which historical landmark is located adjacent to the mosque in Tripoli's Medina?

Arch of Marcus Aurelius

Which calligraphic script style is predominantly used for the Quranic inscriptions inside the mosque?

Andalusian script

What is the typical cross-sectional shape of a traditional mosque's minaret?

Octagonal

Arch of Marcus Aurelius

How many grand archways does the Arc de Triomphe feature?

Three

What type of stone was primarily used in the construction of the arch?

White marble

According to surviving reliefs, which deities are shown riding chariots on the arch?

Apollo and Minerva

What ornamental motif is commonly found surrounding the images of captured barbarians on the pillars of Roman triumphal arches?

Acanthus leaves and vines

How many niches on the Arch of Marcus Aurelius originally held statues of emperors?

Four

Which architect was responsible for redeveloping the area surrounding the Arch of Marcus Aurelius in the 1930s during Italian colonial rule?

Florestano Di Fausto

What distinctive architectural feature tops the central vault of the arch?

Octagonal dome

What contemporary problem is causing damage to the original carvings on the arch?

Acid rain and visitor erosion

What type of restoration took place immediately after the Italian conquest of Libya (1911-1918)?

Italian conservation work conducted on-site

Why has the Arch of Marcus Aurelius survived while much of ancient Oea remains buried?

Because it stands at the intersection of the historic cardo and decumanus

The Red Castle Assaraya al-Hamra

Which architect led the 1920s renovation of the castle and introduced its iconic arches?

Armando Brasini

The castle once stood directly on the seafront; what construction in the 1970s separated it from the shoreline?

Al-Shat Highway

The Red Castle in Tripoli faces which famous city landmark?

Martyrs' Square

Which dynasty established the castle as their seat of power in Tripoli during the 18th century?

Karamanli dynasty

Archaeological excavations within the Red Castle have revealed remains belonging to which ancient empire?

Roman Empire

How many floors and approximately how many galleries are there in the museum located in the Red Castle?

Four floors and about 47 galleries

Which bastion was redesigned by architect Armando Brasini to have a medieval appearance and was decorated with arches?

Saint George Bastion

What name was given to the museum by British authorities in 1948 after World War II?

The Libyan Museum

In which year did the museum reopen as the 'Assaraya al-Hamra Museum' with updated, modern facilities?

1988

What major event led to the closure of the museum after 2011?

Civil unrest and revolution