The Jamahiriya Museum in the heart of Tripoli, is an excellent museum in all respects. Both the exhibits and the presentation make this one of the finest museums in the world. ARTKABINETT art collector network supports besieged museums during the political turmoil. At this time, we are unsure as to the status of this facility.
The museum ranges from Neolithic ages until the modern age, across 47 galleries on 4 floors. With such a size, and the apparent similarity between very different times and cultures, it may either be a swift run-through or a two or three day delight.
Did you know that Libyans ruled Egypt in the Late Period? That Libyans were a serious challenge and enemy of the Egyptians at the height of Pharaonic power? That Libya produced one of the emperors of the Roman Empire? That Libya was the corn chamber of Rome?
One poor thing about the museum is that most items are labelled in Arabic; strange considering how strongly the UNESCO was involved in the development of this museum.
The ground level shows a quick journey through several periods, from 300,000 years back in time to the green VW Beetle of the young Gadhafi (pictured here). The exhibits crosses through rock art and pottery up to 10,000 years old until Roman times.
Among the most impressive exhibits is the fantastic mausoleum from Ghirza (top photo), a state independent from Rome, yet culturally influenced. There are also exhibits from the Garamantian Empire (see Germa) and Slonta, everything of vital importance to a complete impression of Libyan culture and history.
In Gallery 6 is the Phoenician exhibition, which is particularly interesting because of this period's importance and its near non-existence across Libyan sites. Phoenician culture rings more of a bell, telling that Carthage (now Tunisia) was part of this.
The most impressive gallery of the museum is probably the Roman. It is dominated by superb statues, most having been taken from Leptis Magna. Oea (same location as modern Tripoli) and Sabratha are also represented, then mainly with mosaics.
The 1st floor covers the transition from Roman, through the Christian Byzantine to the Islamic era. The 2nd floor shows Islamic culture. Passing on to the 3rd floor, exhibits become drastically less impressive than the ground floor, but instead you get great impressions of daily life for the average person, showing things like a Turkish kitchen, clothes and artefacts of the different peoples of Libya.
The 4th floor is mainly dedicated to modern Libyan history, including whole galleries showing nothing but pictures of Gadhafi.
Should not the first 38 galleries be enough for you, the last 9 are devoted to natural history. Actually not to be missed, animal life of Libya is quite elusive while you move around the country by yourself.
Prices and hours / Admission 3LD, camera permission 5LD and video permission 10LD. Open all days except Monday, 08.00-14.00, Fridays also 16.00-18.00. This also include entry into the Tripoli Castle
