Tripoli Libya
Tripoli, Libya 1961
A street in the souk. A sign lettered in Arabic and Italian juts from a doorway on the right. It says ‘scrivano’ or scribe. Italians were a colonial power in Italy but after Ghaddafi took over, they had to leave. The Roman influence didn’t leave. These Libyan men wear a toga over their serwal-chemise. And who could forget Ghaddafi’s voluminous toga-like outfits?
I had an Italian friend who grew up in Tripoli. When I showed her these photos, she started to cry. It had been her home. I suppose even the Libyans might weep now if they could see this photo.
This part of a very long road locally known Tariq Al-Huria which ran from Arch of Marcus Aurelius to an Arch was called Arch locally Bab Al-Huria which relatively it means the same as the arch itself. during the Roman was called in Latin victorem way.
The Ottoman’s discarded the name Al-Huria up to the tale end of their rule.
I sincerely believe the roman road and building still under the existing building and not necessarily in the same direction.
Thank you for a beautiful picture that make me smile and cry in the same time.
So happy that these photos bring back special memories for you. My husband, who was stationed in Libya during the reign of King Idriss, is very pleased, as well. I’ll look over his photos to see if there are others that might interest you.
I lived in Libya 1954-1956 as a dependent child of a military family. Was your husband there during that time?
Hi, Kathy. My husband was stationed at Wheelus AFB in 1960 and 1961. It was a great adventure for him especially to see all those magnificent Roman ruins.
Thanks for checking my blog, I hope the photos brought back some happy memories for you.