Just south of the Roman Column Crossroads, the House of Yusuf Karamanli dates from the beginning of the 19th century and was the private residence of Tripoli's former ruler. Although this represents an extravagant example, it provides a window on the world of private houses that once hid behind the medina's high walls. The courtyard, with a fountain in the centre, is one of the loveliest in the medina and is surrounded by balconies.
The house has been converted into a museum and on the ground floor is a restored traditional bedroom, displays of traditional clothing, a sitting room and the kitchen. On the 1st floor, once home to the private living quarters, there are weapons, period furniture and the beautiful 'dome's hall' - a traditional sitting room with lavish tilework, an exquisite wooden ceiling and inlaid furniture from the time of Yusuf Karamanli. Off this hall is a reconstruction of a bridegroom's room and a room given over to musical instruments from where a window looks down on Sharia Homet Gharyan. Helpfully, most of the rooms have English and Italian explanations at the door.
