Blog
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November5
Ghat -Gateway to the Desert
Ghat is almost as far away as you can get in Libya, and it is very close to the centre of the Sahara. Getting out here is perhaps the safest and easiest way to get that far out into the world’s largest desert.
The history of Ghat stretches back to the 1st century BCE, first established by the Garamantians (of Germa), as a defense to the south. Ghat was a central post on and important trans-Saharan route, connecting in the north to Ghadames and Tripoli. Ghat was ruled by its own sultan, who was, however, not an independent ruler, but subservient to the sultans of the Ajjer.
Ghat was captured by the French authorities of Algeria following numerous attacks into Algeria around the turn of this century by the local Tuaregs. Even today, many locals speak French.
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October6
A Trip to Tarhuna and Its Surroundings
By Franco Caparrotti ( Reproduced from The Tripoli Post)
There are many beautiful sites around Tripoli and it takes just a day to make a nice excursion and discover places of very high interest.
Take advantage of the nice weather and with the spring popping-up, just get ready for a nice picnic under one of the thousand almond trees in flower and start.
This time we propose a trip to Tarhuna and surrounding area.
Leave the capital Tripoli through the airport highway; just few kilometers (3 Km) from the airport you will find a fly over. Just pass under the bridge and take the exit which will head toward the city of Benghashir (famous for the water spring).
Here turn right and head toward Tarhuna. After passing Fam Molga village, about 60 km from Benghashir, you reach a very small village.
Just stop next to the pharmacy (easy to recognize for the Red Crescent sign) Just opposite the pharmacy there is a small stony hill. Climb it and at half way you found prehistorically rock engravings similar to the ones in the Akakus and wadi Matandush. Amazing if you consider how close they are to the capital.
Proceed toward Tarhuna and at the main square (circle) head left toward the famous spring. The surprises are not over, just before reaching the water spring of Tarhuna were people use to picnic you need to stop and look for more prehistorically rock engravings remains which are scattered on the ground at the top of a hill. You park your car next to a farm on your left and walk up to a hill where you can discover under your feet the amazing engravings.
Now you must reach the spring of Tarhuna known locally as “Sharshara”; there is still water running in the “wadi”.
Find your spot and enjoy your picnic. Close, but really very close to you, just scroll around and you will found a Roman oven (klin) properly fenced but with an easy access. The date of the oven is unknown.
Another important site to visit is the Roman mausoleum which was built in the third centaury A.D. Return to Tarhuna and takes the highway Tarhuna – Khoms and after about 3 Km you have a road on your left stretching along olive trees fields. Take this road and drive slowly because after few kilometers (6 km) and before arriving to the Doga village you can see on your right hand side the stunning Roman mausoleum. You can visit as well the inner part, the burial chamber.
It is not over yet. Return to the highway and take the direction to Khoms and after more or less 8 kms you will encounter the small village of Al Khadra and in the main square of the city there are the remain of a Roman olive press. There is not so much remain but it is still worth to see.
After an intensive and enjoyable day full of culture and memories, you can return home from two possible directions: through Khoms (longer) or back to Tarhuna and then Tripoli.
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September9
Eid in Libya
Libyans today celebrate Eid El-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, with prayers, feasts and merry-making. The common denominator of the event consists of two joys – that of breaking the fast and the satisfaction for having fulfilled one of the five pillars of Islam.
Dressed in new clothes bought specifically for the occasion, Libyans will begin their feast by celebrating the prayer of Eid in mosques and public places before visiting their parents, close relatives and neighbours.
For the three days following the Eid, families offer their visitors various cakes (Basbousa, Kounaffa, Baklawa and others) in addition to traditional dishes served from generation to generation to mark this Muslim religious feast.
Policemen are posted at various streets of Tripoli and on major roads to remind drivers of the need to respect traffic rules to ensure public safety.
While Libyans begin the feast on Thursday, several other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Tunisia will have their feast on Friday.
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July25
The Berber Ghurfas
In southern Tunisia and northwestern Libya, it is a type of building structure used mainly for grain storage. Ghurfas are long chambers with tube roof, which in hot climates, protect against climate, as well as animals, insects and human thieves.
“Ghurfa” is from Arabic, and the most commonly used word for “room”. In Tunisia and Libya ghurfas are single rooms in a larger structure known as ksar, kasr, ksour, qasr or (rare) qsar, all from the Arabic qasr, “palace”. Still, a ksar is a more general term, representing a fortified structure, which may well not be made up of ghurfas.
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June24
Taste of Libya – Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna, hometown of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, was a grand city and one of the Roman Empire’s most important cities – and is one of the most stunning examples of Roman ruins anywhere in the world, with many giving it the nod as the most impressive ruins.
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June12
Taste of Libya- Ras El Ghoul
The ominously named Ras Al-Ghoul ( “The Demon’s Head” in Arabic) is a name applied to an ancient hilltop fortress commanding stunning views in the Libyan desert. It is here that the last hold-outs to Islam barricaded themselves in a stand-off with the Muslim forces that arrived from Ghadames. Because of a well located in the fortress, the beseiged were able to hold on, and eventually the Muslim forces allowed them to leave. It remains a popular spot with fantastic views of the desert.
It is said by the locals that events of a paranormal nature occur here regularly , including bizarre lights in the sky, glowing sand, voices, and other strange occurrence.
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May28
Libya Lifts Visa Restrictions on Americans
Tourists from Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK have all been able to visit, and now the USA can be added to the list.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, May 25th, Libya Expeditions, Libya’s leading tour operator and travel adventure specialist, announced the groundbreaking trade and investment agreement inked between Libya and the U.S., saying that it has resulted in Libya lifting all visa restrictions on U.S. citizens traveling to the country.
“Effective immediately, visas are being approved for U.S. citizens for travel to Libya. We are pleased with the new developments and giving the opportunity to U.S. citizens to return to Libya and explore this magical and scenic land,” said Ryad Sunusi, Libya Expeditions Founder & CEO
Libya Expeditions describes itself as a full-service Libya tour operator that provides comprehensive Libya travel services, focusing on escorted Libya cultural, archaeological, and desert adventure tours and holidays; and has rapidly become the leading operator of escorted tours to Libya. Libya Expeditions is committed to promoting responsible tourism – supporting the local Libyan economy whilst retaining respect for traditional customs and way of life.
Although in the USA it’s mainly seen as the fiefdom of Colonel Muammar Al-Gaddafi Libya is also home to five UNESCO world heritage sites:
Archaeological Site of Cyrene (1982) – the oldest and most important of the five Greek cities in the region.
Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (1982) – The site has been described as one of the most spectacular and unspoiled Roman ruins in the Mediterranean.
Archaeological Site of Sabratha (1982) – It has a 3rd century theatre that retains its three-storey architectural backdrop, temples and a Christian basilica, and a museum.
Rock-art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (1985) – this mountain range in the desert of western Libya is part of the Sahara. The area has a particularly rich array of prehistoric rock art.
Old Town of Ghadames (1986) – a small oasis town with unusual architecture.
It should be noted that according to Wikipedia, In response to 9/11 attacks Gaddafi condemned the attacks as an act of terrorism and urged Libyans to donate blood for the US victims. As it turned out, donating blood would do no good, but the condemnation of the attack is an indication that the country wants to rejoin the international community of nations.
In 2004 Bush had lifted the economic sanctions on Libya and official relations resumed between Libya and the United States. Libya then opened a Liaison office in Washington, DC and the United States opened an office in Tripoli.
Libya recently announced an ambitious strategy to attract 1.5 Million tourists annually by 2012; and to that effect, loosened tourist visa procedures so visas for most nationalities can be obtained on arrival.
Now citizens of the USA will be able to visit. This is an important step in both international relations and, well, our ability to travel to new and exciting places.
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May16
The Mahary-Radisson Blu Hotel
The historic Mahari Hotel, once a Libyan government run 5 star hotel in Tripoli, has been transformed and now is part of the Radisson family of hotels. Now called the Radisson Blue, the new management and facelift has taken what was once a grand but decaying hotel with a spectacular location on the corniche, to a truly 5-star experience and living up to the standards of the Radisson name. The re-branding has included substantial work on modernizing the hotel and all its rooms, adding decorations, new restaurants, facilities, a superb business lounge on the 15th floor overlooking the city, and better trained staff.Recreational amenities at Al Mahary Radisson Blu Hotel Tripoli include an outdoor pool, a health club, and a spa tub. Other amenities include a full-service health spa, a poolside bar, and a restaurant.
Guestrooms open to balconies with city, sea or pool views and feature complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms come with bathrobes and designer toiletries. The Radisson Blu has aggressively targeted the high-end business traveler to Tripoli, competing directly with the Corinthia Hotel, what was once the only 5-star hotel in the city.
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May4
The Jamahiriya Museum
The Jamahiriya Museum in the heart of Tripoli, is an excellent museum in all respects. Both the exhibits and the presentation make this one of the finest museums in the world.
The museum ranges from Neolithic ages until the modern age, across 47 galleries on 4 floors. With such a size, and the apparent similarity between very different times and cultures, it may either be a swift run-through or a two or three day delight.
Did you know that Libyans ruled Egypt in the Late Period? That Libyans were a serious challenge and enemy of the Egyptians at the height of Pharaonic power? That Libya produced one of the emperors of the Roman Empire? That Libya was the corn chamber of Rome?
The ground level shows a quick journey through several periods, from 300,000 years back in time to the green VW Beetle of the young Gadhafi. The exhibits crosses through rock art and pottery up to 10,000 years old until Roman times.
Among the most impressive exhibits is the fantastic mausoleum from Ghirza (top photo), a state independent from Rome, yet culturally influenced. There are also exhibits from the Garamantian Empire (see Germa) and Slonta, everything of vital importance to a complete impression of Libyan culture and history.
In Gallery 6 is the Phoenician exhibition, which is particularly interesting because of this period’s importance and its near non-existence across Libyan sites. Phoenician culture rings more of a bell, telling that Carthage (now Tunisia) was part of this.
The most impressive gallery of the museum is probably the Roman. It is dominated by superb statues, most having been taken from Leptis Magna. Oea (same location as modern Tripoli) and Sabratha are also represented, then mainly with mosaics.
The 1st floor covers the transition from Roman, through the Christian Byzantine to the Islamic era. The 2nd floor shows Islamic culture. Passing on to the 3rd floor, exhibits become drastically less impressive than the ground floor, but instead you get great impressions of daily life for the average person, showing things like a Turkish kitchen, clothes and artefacts of the different peoples of Libya.
The 4th floor is mainly dedicated to modern Libyan history, including whole galleries showing nothing but pictures of Gadhafi.
Should not the first 38 galleries be enough for you, the last 9 are devoted to natural history. Actually not to be missed, animal life of Libya is quite elusive while you move around the country by yourself.
Prices and hours / Admission 3LD, camera permission 5LD and video permission 10LD. Open all days except Monday, 08.00-14.00, Fridays also 16.00-18.00. This also include entry into the Tripoli Castle
Republished courtesy of LookLex.
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April23
Sabratha : A Little Slice of Rome
In Roman times the Tripolitania province had three cities, called Tripolis, Leptis Magna, Oea (now the modern Tripoli) and Sabratha. Sabratha was to a large extent the one with least wealth, yet it boasts one of the best preserved theatres of the Roman era.
Sabratha was constructed in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, but it did survive longer than its big brother, Leptis Magna. As is the case with many ancient cities in North Africa, it was the arrival of the Arabs, that resulted in the final decline.
The theatre is the main attraction, and it appears in excellent condition today. It is even used now as an arena for theatre and concerts. Sabratha has several public baths, temples, fountains and mosaics. The museum is a must, and has an extensive exhibition of everything from statues to small coins.
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