Qasr

I already posted about the qasr (fortified granary) at Nalut, but that is not the only example to be found dotted about the landscape around Tripoli. The Lonely Planet lauds the Qasr Al Haj as the one to see, but we haven't been there yet (lazy, much? We'll get there eventually). These photos come from one about an hour or so closer to Tripoli. It's different from other granaries in that the caravans can drive right in because it's a huge circular fortification at the top of a hill. It's been rather clumsily restored in parts with copious application of concrete, and sections of it are unfortunately reduced to rubbish tip and toilet, but in general it's an interesting sight (and site).

The first photo is trying to show the scale of it, from one side to the other.



And then this next one is an example of the stark but grand landscape surrounding it, for context.








Here's a close-up of the smaller ones.












And a look at the larger ones, at the 'head' of the circle ie opposite the entrance (the other photos have been of one side of it.






And finally inside the larger ones so you can see the multiple levels. Remember, as I said with Nalut, an entire tribe would have stored their grain here, and the keeper would have had to memorise where each family's store was and what was in it. It would once have been roofed with the same domed construction as you saw in the earlier photos.


Weather has been unpredictable; poor Ambassador, every time he cleans the pool, a dusty wind kicks up and dirties in again. Reading We've got to talk about Kevin. Watching House, since we recently discovered we get three more channels than we thought we did (and yet only one more thing worth watching...).