Licorice is a traditional street drink with a long history in Tripoli’s markets. Vendors announce their arrival by rhythmically striking small brass saucers together, creating a familiar sound as they move through the streets. The drink is prepared from the roots of the perennial licorice plant, which grows in parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. […]
Read MoreTripoli is renowned for its oriental sweets. Its pastry makers share traditions with Damascus and Turkey while developing local varieties and continuing to experiment with new forms and combinations. The city’s dessert repertoire has been described as exceeding seventy basic varieties. Tasting these sweets is a longstanding part of the experience of visiting Tripoli. Among […]
Read MoreTripoli’s culinary heritage is exceptionally varied, extending well beyond the dishes sold in its markets and restaurants. Family cooking includes more than a hundred preparations, from stuffed vegetables to the city’s celebrated spicy fish. Alongside these home-cooked meals, the old city is known for its sweets, traditional drinks and popular restaurant dishes. Breakfast foods, bakery […]
Read MoreThe attar sells essential oils, herbs, spices and nuts, combining several familiar elements of the traditional market in one shop. Historically, the attar also played the role of a neighborhood herbalist, preparing mixtures used in local healing traditions. The trade has experienced renewed interest and popularity, helping sustain its place in Tripoli’s commercial heritage.
Read MoreTraditional glassblowing has survived in Beddawi, the northern suburb of Tripoli. In 2019, one remaining workshop was still producing glass using the blowing method.
Read MoreGoldsmithing is closely connected with Tripoli’s historic Gold Market. Compared with many other traditional crafts, it has retained stronger demand and continued to form a recognizable part of the old city’s commercial life.
Read MoreReady-made clothing has greatly reduced the demand for traditional sewing and embroidery in Tripoli. Only a small number of craftspeople have continued working in these trades. Their output includes folkloric garments, embroidered household pieces, decorative items and gifts, allowing needlework skills to survive through specialized work.
Read MorePottery was an essential craft for thousands of years, supplying vessels and other objects for daily use. By 2019, three factories in El Mina remained as representatives of that tradition. The makers faced declining demand as households turned to other materials and products. Their continued work preserved the craft despite the difficulty of sustaining it […]
Read MoreCarpentry and wood carving have long been major crafts in Tripoli. The city is known for furniture and other wooden products sold throughout Lebanon and exported abroad. Numerous workshops have continued the trade, particularly in the older neighborhoods. Their work connects practical furniture making with the decorative skills of wood carving.
Read MoreMaking and renewing wool mattresses, pillows, blankets and covers is an old Tripolitan profession. It has become increasingly rare, with only a small number of craftspeople maintaining the work. Much of the surviving trade is carried out on request, preserving the skills through individual household commissions.
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