In al-Mina, the port section of Tripoli, stand the ruins of four great guard towers built by order of the Mamluk sultans of Egypt to defend their inland city of Tripoli from sea attack. Originally there were seven towers, three have practically disappeared. From the ruins of the destroyed Crusader port city, they collected the necessary building material in order to defend their vulnerable coastline against the Crusader’s return.

The Mid 15th Century Tower of the Lions is still remarkably preserved. It was given this name in the 19th Century because of the lions carved in relief that once stood above the entrance.

The Tower is actually a fortress 2 stories high with lofty vaulted ceilings. The west portal is in the typical Mamluke black and white stone pattern. From the outside you can see how the builders placed Roman columns horizontally in the wall as reinforcements.