Details of Islamic Architecture in the Old City's Mosques

Photo Credit: Hiba Shalabi 

Libya was affected greatly by Turkish and Italian architecture and it is seen in abandoned and un-abandoned buildings in the Old City of Tripoli. The little details of the arches, doorways, and ceilings, ceramic tiles and plates are not excluded; they actually make a huge part of the development of the architecture scene in the country. 

Some details in the booklet 

Throughout my visit to the Old City this summer, I managed to pay attention to the little details I mentioned in almost every building and corner I visited. I was astonished by how much of care potters paid to come up with mind dazzling results. 

Ahmed Basha Al-Karamanli Mosque | Hiba Shalabi

I purchased some books from the library at Dar Hasan Al-Fagih and one of the books was a booklet entitled "Ceramic Tiles and Plates". It introduces the use and history of Tiles and Plates in Islamic architecture. As the booklet says, these were introduced in the 17th, the 18th, and the 19th century. They became one of the signatures of Libya's urban and Islamic architecture in that period.

Ahmed Karamanli great mosque is considered a museum of ceramic work. It is representing all forms and colors of the ceramic tiles in the 18th century. Another mosque is Mustafa Korji great mosque, too. It was constructed in the 1834 a.d. The beauty of the titles and little details are a work of art and beauty.

From the booklet

People should visit the Old City's major buildings, mosques, and churches. They should listen to stories of the beautiful past and imagine people of that era roaming around and the sound of authentic Libyan music in the air. In this article, I will share some of the pictures from the booklet.