The Martyrs' Square ( '); known as Green Square ( ') under the Gaddafi government; Independence Square ( ') during the

monarchy A monarchy is a form of government in which a person, the monarch, reigns as head of state for the rest of their life, or until abdication. The extent of the authority of the monarch may vary from restricted and largely symbolic (constitutio ...

; and originally (during Italian colonial rule) known as ''Piazza Italia'' ("Italy Square") is a downtown landmark at the bay in the city of

Tripoli, Libya Tripoli, historically known as Tripoli-of-the-West, is the capital city, capital and largest city of Libya, with a population of about 1.317 million people in 2021. It is located in the northwest of Libya on the edge of the desert, on a point ...

. The main commercial center of the city surrounds the square. The Square is also a main tourist attraction in Tripoli. It has a large legendary fountain designed by an Italian architect at the centre of the square. The square is the meeting point of many different avenues. Omar Mukhtar Avenue is one of the longest in North Africa, it was built by Italians in the colonial time, and Libyans during the era of King Idris I. Independence Street branches from the square too, and it leads to the Palace of King Idris I. 24 December Avenue is also an Italian built avenue. Mizran Street is the last street that branches from the Martyrs' Square.

History

Libia-Tripoli-1935-lungomare-Conte-Volpi

The square was originally constructed by the Italian colonial rulers on the site of the old bread market (''sūq al-khubs''), and it was expanded on several occasions during the 1930s. During the Italian colonial period, it was called ''Piazza Italia'' ("Italy Square"). After Libyan independence in 1951, it was known as "Independence Square" during the Libyan monarchy (1951–1969). After the 1969 revolution by Gaddafi, the square was renamed again to "Green Square" to mark his

political philosophy Political philosophy studies the theoretical and conceptual foundations of politics. It examines the nature, scope, and Political legitimacy, legitimacy of political institutions, such as State (polity), states. This field investigates different ...

in his '' Green Book''.

2011 Libyan civil war

On the night of 21–22 August, Libyan rebel groups took control of the area during the

2011 Battle of Tripoli The Battle of Tripoli ( ), sometimes referred to as the Fall of Tripoli ( ), was a military confrontation in Tripoli, Libya, between loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi, the longtime leader of Libya, and the National Transitional Council, which was at ...

and started referring to it as Martyrs' Square to dissociate the square from the Gaddafi government and to commemorate those who died in the fight against his government. On

Eid ul-Fitr Eid al-Fitr () is the first of the two main festivals in Islam, the other being Eid al-Adha. It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the ...

(31 August) and again on 2 September, tens of thousands of Tripoli residents, including many women and children, gathered on Martyrs' Square to celebrate the end of Gaddafi's rule.

Facilities

It features the Red Castle (''As-saraya Al-hamra''), which hosts Libya's Antiquities Department and the

National Museum A national museum can be a museum maintained and funded by a national government. In many countries it denotes a museum run by the central government, while other museums are run by regional or local governments. In the United States, most nati ...

with a collection of Phoenician, Greek and Roman artefacts. The museum also exhibits a statue of Venus from the

Hadrianic Hadrian ( ; ; 24 January 76 – 10 July 138) was Roman emperor from 117 to 138. Hadrian was born in Italica, close to modern Seville in Spain, an Italic settlement in Hispania Baetica; his branch of the Aelia ''gens'', the ''Aeli Hadria ...

Baths at Leptis, a complete Libyan-Roman tomb from the Ghirza region, and a colourful

Volkswagen Beetle The Volkswagen Beetle, officially the Volkswagen Type 1, is a small family car produced by the German company Volkswagen from 1938 to 2003. One of the most iconic cars in automotive history, the Beetle is noted for its distinctive shape. Its pr ...

used by Colonel Gaddafi leading up to the revolution. On the other side, a wide avenue leading towards the seafront with two tall pillars. On top of the pillars are an iron-cast, miniature wooden ship; the other one features a horseback rider. The Royal Miramare Theatre used to be located across from the Red Castle, but it was demolished by Gaddafi's government after the 1960s to create space for large demonstrations.

References

External links

* {{2011 Libyan civil war, state=uncollapsed National squares Squares in Libya Tripoli, Libya Tripoli in the Libyan civil war (2011)

History

2011 Libyan civil war

Facilities

See also

References

External links