1.6.

2014
Conservation proposals offer brighter
future for Tripolis Red Castle
By Tom Westcott.
The urban complex built within the walls of the Red Castle poses a challenge to
conservationists (Photo: Tom Westcott)
Tripoli, 1 June 2014:
A new architectural book setting out a range of proposals and guidelines for the
conservation and restoration of Tripolis Red Castle could boost the future of one
of the capitals most important buildings.
Il Castello Rosso di Tripoli: Unesperienza di ricerca per un intervento di
conservazione - the culmination of years of research was presented to the
Department of Antiquities at a Tripoli conference last week.
It is a preliminary work, to allow Libyans to make decisions about the future of
the building, author and a Professor at Italys University of Urbino, Laura
Baratin, told the Libya Herald. It shows different guidelines and paths that could
be followed, all of which conform to international standards.
Parts of the landmark building, which is home to Tripoli Museum as well as many
valuable Libyan archives, date back to the seventh century. Successive structural
additions, as well as neglect and multiple uses, have left the building in a
vulnerable condition.
Parts of the castle have been neglected and are in urgent need of conservation
(Photo: Tom Westcott)
The Red Castle has problems with humidity, water ingress and rising damp, Baratin
explained. An added difficulty is the different materials used in both the original
construction and subsequent building work. Numerous interventions and additions to
the original structure also needed to be taken into account in the research, she
said.
Its proximity to Martyrs Square and its current functions, including housing many
important historic artefacts in the museum, were also considered when putting
forward potential guidelines for future conservation and use. The Red Castle was
both a monument and a functional space, Baratni explained, which added another
dimension to the research.
The Red Castle is not a small or easy project but the important thing about this
work is that it is a big first step so the Department of Antiquities does not have
to start from scratch, Baratin said.
The research has taken years to complete, with most work undertaken between 2005 and
2009. It involved an in-depth survey of the whole building, including the urban
complex within the walls, as well as chemical and technical analysis of building
materials. This informed suggestions for how best to proceed with conserving it,
Baratin said.

The Red Castle is home to some of Libyas most important museum collections (Photo:
Tom Westcott)
It was a useful event and we consider the book as a next step for us to put plans
together to preserve this castle, Adel Al-Turki from the Department of Antiquities
said. My feeling is that we first need to have a view regarding the future use of
the castle, whether it will be a place for tourists or whether we will continue to
use it for various purposes, including some offices.
Turki added that establishing a future plan for the castle was the priority. It is
difficult to make decisions about the conservation of the building without knowing
what it will be in the future, he said.
Baratin said she was delighted by the many questions that followed the presentation
of the work, which showed how interested and committed Libyans were to preserving
the building.
Rubens Piovano the Director of the Italian Institute in Tripoli which organised
the conference, described as one of the most important pieces of Libyas heritage.
When you say Tripoli, people think of the Red Castle, he said.
Several initial copies of the work were presented on Thursday, but two hundred more
have been printed and will be delivered to the Department of Antiquities.
Baratin said she hoped work would start quickly on the Red Castle. Stability and
security problems are holding progress back, but Libya needs to invest more in this
project, she said.
Baratin pointed out that Europe should also commit itself to helping conserve the
building. It belongs not just to Libya, but to humanity, especially as Tripoli is
the gateway to Libya.
The project was funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration
with the Libyan Department of Antiquities, which falls under the Ministry of
Culture. The book presentation event was organised by the Italian Cultural Institute
in Tripoli.