At the end of the thirteenth century, the Mamluks won again the crusaders who left Tripoli. But they continued to attack the coasts of the city from the two islands: Cyprus and Rhodes. Therefore, the Mamluks built these towers to defend the city along the coast. There were seven towers, Bersbey Tower being the most famous and the only one left standing until this day, while some of the other towers were destroyed and modern buildings were erected above.
Bersbey Tower, also called the Lions Tower, was built by Prince Saif al-Din Bersbey in the 15th century AD.
It is a distinctive example of Islamic crusade architecture with facades featuring granite columns planted horizontally in walls and arrows outlets to defend the building. The main gate consists of a curved arch of alternating white and black stones in Mamluk style.
It is a rectangular two-story tower, built of polished pointed and old stones. The main gate opens directly on a large hall along the building’s area from six opposing crypts anchoring in the center on two huge stone pillars and leaning on walls side supports. To the right of the entrance is a stone staircase that ascends in the wall of the façade to the upper floor where a large multi-vaulted hall opens up with a small mosque, a Mihrab and two windows.