Known to the ancient world as Tripolitania, now a combination of completely different cities – from the Roman cities of Sabratha and Leptis Magna, to the busy capital, to Palm City – Corinthia’s latest project that is set to receive its first tenants in October 2008.
Francesca Vella was a guest at the Corinthia BAB Africa Hotel in Tripoli, to get a feel of what the place is really like.
The company’s latest project – Palm City Residences – is further proof of Corinthia’s success in Libya over the past few years. With an investment of about EUR80 million (Lm34.3 million), Palm City is set to cater for expatriates, all facilities being exclusive to residents.
The self-contained complex includes a central piazza, a supermarket,other retail outlets, restaurants and sports and entertainment facilities, as well as a private beach.
More than 50 per cent of the structural work now having been completed, and with the remaining work progressing very well, the company is expected to start receiving the first tenants in October next year.
The beauty of the project lies mostly in the way the layout of the residential units was planned – with each terraced house, bungalow, apartment, maison-ette, penthouse or villa enjoying an open sea view.
This layout was created by means of terraced levels that are sustained by retaining walls built between each level.
The residential units are finished and fitted to the very highest specification. The interior design is modern and the Maltese architect responsible for the project’s design, Ray Demicoli, has ensured that space, comfort and practicality are maximised.
Moreover, all the units are equipped with the necessary amenities, including air-conditioning systems, LCD TV sets with an array of satellite options and wireless internet connectivity.
Fully-fitted kitchens, equipped with modern appliances, are standard in each home. Each residence is furnished with a dedicated telephone and line and a separate internet connection, to ensure that tenants remain connected at all times.
Palm City has engaged consultants of international repute to design and plan the construction of the 408-unit compound in Janzour, which is less than half-an-hour west to the capital, Tripoli.
Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean, it is no wonder that Corinthia chose “Palm City” as the name for their latest project, since Janzour is a resort town with lots of sandy beaches lined with palm trees.
A team of qualified architects and engineers are involved on site in the planning and management of the construction and infrastructure, that is now in full swing, and the site has been meticulously organised in 11 different zones in order to allow
different work to proceed concurrently.
Between sea and desert, between Europe and Africa –
– lie the archaeological sites of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, which are considered to be two of the best preserved Roman cities. In fact, simply walking through the magnificent sites, the extent of the Roman Empire’s influence, even in Africa, is easily understood.
Leptis and Sabratha were named Unesco World Heritage Sites in 1982, but were formerly part of Tripolitania – a historic area of three cities, the third being modern-day Tripoli, carrying the former name, Oea.
As Italian archaeologist, art historian and politician Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli once said: “Wandering through the streets of Leptis, in the vast, still silence, one can admire… the immense work of man, his restlessness, his ambition, his gain and his pity, and also his love for life, as he slowly and arduously took possession of the world, as he created himself, affirming over and over again, in different ways, his very existence.”
There could be no better description of the grandeur of this archaeological site, the size of which alone is already impressive. However, we can only imagine how much more grandiose Leptis really is, considering that only a third of it has so far been excavated.
As for Sabratha, which is said to be more popular with visitors – possibly due to its proximity to the sea and the fact that it is smaller and hence easier to walk through in the sweltering heat – it is, however, not as rich in archaeological remains.
It has been described by American art critic Bernard Berenson, as “mesmerising… enchanting… would have won even your difficult admiration”.
Possibly, in terms of the emotions Sabratha transmits, it is a warmer, more contained site that is easier to relate to.
Philip Ward, in his book, Sabratha Guide for visitors, wrote: “Leptis is formal, immense: almost an empire in miniature. Sabratha can easily be visited in a single day, but shows her different moods on every new exploration.”
The sad thing about these archaeological sites is that only a small amount of restoration work has been carried out since excavations began about a century ago, and some areas are now totally abandoned. Thankfully, all the statues, mosaics and other items that were found on-site are currently under lock and key in Tripoli Museum, but the sites’ beautiful stone is in dire need of restoration and preservation.
It is believed that the Libyan government, now in its 37th year under the rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, does not provide any form of funding for restoration work at the World Heritage Sites, possibly in a similar way that the streets are littered with all sorts of material and many parts of the city are in need of complete make-overs and maintenance.