The Islamic cities in Libya

the long version

After explaining the historical background the book focuses on pre-Islamic cities from Phoenician, Greek to Roman times. A general view on early Islamic cities in North Africa and the Near East introduces into the specific problems of early Islamic cities in Libya according to sources from written documents and archaeological evidences, and preserved architectural buildings in the modern towns. Special investigation concentrates on regional cities as the Old City of Tripoli, Ajdabiya, Sultan and Zuila. The general analysis presents new information on the site and idea of planning, the architectural features, the decoration, material and techniques, and on the special problem of orientation of the mosques. Thus the book aims to fill a gap between Maghreb and the Near East.