Lebanon’s Tripoli offers rich historical heritage for tourists

In the historic centre of Tripoli, soaps are offered as souvenirs - the city is famous for them. – Photos: Philipp Laage/dpa

There are few obvious reasons to go to Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city.

Coming from the motorway in the south, one only sees scanty housing blocks. During the war in Syria, supporters and opponents of Bashar al-Assad clashed in the city’s east. Besides, one wonders, isn’t Beirut actually the symbol of Lebanese lust for life?