Martyrs' Square ميدان الشهداء Maydān ash-Shuhadā' | |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood | |
 TheMartyrs' Square (then known as "Green Square") in 2007 | |
| Features | fountain |
| Dedicated to | 2011 Battle of Tripoli |
| Location | Intersection of Independence Street, Omar Mukhtar Avenue, 24 December Avenue and Mizran Street Tripoli, Libya |
 Interactive map of Martyrs' Square ميدان الشهداء Maydān ash-Shuhadā' | |
| Coordinates:32°53′42″N13°10′52″E / 32.89500°N 13.18111°E /32.89500; 13.18111 | |
TheMartyrs' Square (Arabic:ميدان الشهداءMaydān ash-Shuhadā'[1][2]); known asGreen Square (الساحة الخضراءas-Sāḥah al-Khaḍrā') under theGaddafi government;Independence Square (ميدان الاستقلالMaydān al-Istiqlāl) during themonarchy; and originally (duringItalian colonial rule) known asPiazza Italia ("Italy Square") is a downtown landmark at the bay in the city ofTripoli, Libya. The main commercial center of the city surrounds the square.[3] 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 KingIdris 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.
The square was originally constructed by theItalian 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 calledPiazza Italia ("Italy Square"). After Libyan independence in 1951, it was known as "Independence Square" during theLibyan monarchy (1951–1969). After the 1969 revolution by Gaddafi, the square was renamed again to "Green Square"[4] to mark hispolitical philosophy in hisGreen Book.[5]
On the night of 21–22 August, Libyan rebel groups took control of the area during the2011 Battle of Tripoli and started referring to it asMartyrs' Square to dissociate the square from theGaddafi government and to commemorate those who died in the fight against his government.[6][7] OnEid ul-Fitr (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.[8][9]
It features theRed Castle[10] (As-saraya Al-hamra), which hosts Libya's Antiquities Department and theNational Museum with a collection of Phoenician, Greek and Roman artefacts. The museum also exhibits a statue of Venus from theHadrianic Baths atLeptis, a complete Libyan-Roman tomb from the Ghirza region, and a colourfulVolkswagen Beetle used by Colonel Gaddafi leading up to the revolution.[11] 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.
TheRoyal Miramare Theatre used to be located across from theRed Castle, but it was demolished by Gaddafi's government after the 1960s to create space for large demonstrations.
Media related toMartyrs' Square (Tripoli) at Wikimedia Commons
