Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Tripoli

This Roman triumphal arch stands within the old medina of Tripoli, a rare survivor from the ancient city of Oea that lies beneath the modern capital. Built in the second century to honour the emperor, its four-sided form and carved reliefs remain remarkably intact despite the centuries of building that grew up around it. Once nearly buried by later structures, it was cleared and restored to stand free in a small square. As the oldest monument in Tripoli, the arch is a tangible link to the Roman roots of the Libyan coast.