Tripoli
Tripoli, 85 Km north of Beirut, is the administrative capital of the North and the second largest city of Lebanon. It was founded by the Phoenicians in 9th century B.C. It was the center of Phoenician confederation with Sidon, Tyre and Arados Island - Then the name "Tripolis" meaning "the three Cities".
The city's historical sites date from the Crusader, Mamluk and Ottoman times. The huge Castle of St. Gilles, built by Crusaders in the early 12th century's towering above the old town. The ancient mosques, theological schools, public bathing-houses, khans (caravansaries), and historic Souks are a living museum of 500 years of traditions, customs and architecture.