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TOCRA

TOCRA (also known as Taucheira or Tuchira) is an ancient Libyan town located beneath the Bakour hillside, 70 km east of Benghazi and 20 km west of Marj. Renamed Al-Aqouriya in the 1980s, the city was originally founded by the Greeks, later becoming part of the Roman and then Byzantine empires before being conquered by the Muslims around 645 AD. It remained inhabited until the 11th century.

💫 💫 TOCRA was part of the Pentapolis (Five Cities of Libya) and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It was under the control of Cyrene, allied with it during the Republican Era, and was renamed Arsinoe in the Ptolemaic period. Under the Romans and Byzantines, it prospered, especially under Emperor Justinian. Notable ruins include city walls, tombs, Byzantine baths, and a museum housed in an Ottoman-Italian castle.

💫 💫 Ptolemais (modern Tolmeitha) was another major Greek city near TOCRA , serving as the port of Barca (Marj). It came under the control of Alexander the Great, then the Romans, and later the Byzantines. Renamed by Ptolemy II after himself, it flourished during his reign and became the capital of Cyrenaica in Roman times. Its extensive ruins include large Roman cisterns, palaces, and a grid road system, reflecting its Hellenistic design.

💫 💫 The site drew the attention of European travelers in the 18th century and was later fortified by Italians in the 20th century. Ptolemais lies about 106 km from Benghazi and 35 km from TOCRA and contains a large archaeological museum.The city also contains a large archaeological museum.

Libya Palace Museum – Byzantine Mosaics

The site, historically used by the Greeks since the 4th century BC, later became known as Olibya, or the ancient city of Olympia. During the late 5th and early 6th centuries AD, it suffered heavy damage due to invasions by the Vandals and Numidians, who were active in North Africa at the time.
In 539 AD, Byzantine Emperor Justinian I restored the city and renamed it Theodorias, in honor of his wife, Empress Theodora, who was raised in nearby Apollonia.
Two churches were later discovered at the site:

  • The Eastern Church (discovered in 1957)
  • The Western Church (discovered in 1964)

In the late 1960s, a small archaeological museum was constructed near the Western Church. Officially opened in 1972, the Byzantine Mosaic Museum houses a stunning collection of mosaic floors from the Western Church. One of the rarest pieces is a mosaic depiction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
The site is located approximately 169 km from Benghazi, about a 2-hour and 19-minute drive.

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Visit to Shahat

Home to the Largest Museum in Eastern Libya
Shahat, known in ancient times as Cyrene (Greek: Kyrēnē), is a historic city nestled in the Green Mountain (Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar) region of northeastern Libya. It lies about 21 km from Al-Bayda and 200 km from Benghazi.

Founded in 631 BC by Greek settlers, Cyrene was ruled by Battus, its first king, for nearly 40 years. Over time, the city became a cultural and historical crossroads, influenced by several civilizations. It is recognized as one of Libya’s most beautiful ancient cities and ranks 10th among the most important historical cities in the Arab world.
Key Archaeological Highlights:

  • Greek Baths, including Roman-era Trajan’s Baths.
  • The Agora, the classical Greek public marketplace.
  • The Acropolis Fortress, a strategic high-ground stronghold.
  • Theaters:
    o A Roman theater.
    o A Greek theater, later transformed into an amphitheater.
    o The Odeon, a Hellenistic indoor theater for music and poetry performances.

Today, Shahat is home to the largest museum in eastern Libya, preserving the city’s rich cultural legacy.

💫 💫The city of soussa also has a museum, which is currently closed for maintenance.

Soussa 
 – The Ancient Port City of Apollonia

Nestled between the Green Mountain (Jabal Al Akhdar) and the Mediterranean Sea, Soussa is a quiet coastal town in eastern Libya with a population of under 7,000. The town traces its roots back nearly 3,000 years, to the 7th century BC, when it was founded by the Greeks and named Apollonia, after the god Apollo.
Originally established as the main port of Cyrene (modern-day Shahat), Soussa later grew in importance and became the capital of the Pentapolis under the Byzantine Empire in the 5th century AD.

Today, Soussa stands as an open-air archaeological site, with visible ruins from the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras. The city’s heritage, mild climate, and scenic coastline make it both historically significant and naturally beautiful.

Just 15 km east of Soussa lies a prehistoric cave, believed to date back to a time before recorded history, adding even deeper layers to the region’s historical significance

City of
Lathron

Athrun (Lathron) – The Red-Hued Town of the Green Mountain

Athrun, also known as Lathron, is a small Libyan town located in northeastern Libya, within the Green Mountain (Jabal Al Akhdar) region. It lies approximately 9 kilometers east of Ras Al-Hilal and about 50 kilometers east of the city of Al-Bayda. Administratively, it falls under the Derna district.

The name Athrun dates back to the Greek period, when it was known as “Erythron”, meaning “The Red”, in reference to the distinctive reddish color of the region’s soil.

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The Ancient Temple of Aslanta

The Ancient Temple of Aslanta – A Mysterious Rock Sanctuary in Libya

💫 💫Located about 27 km south of Al-Bayda, in the Green Mountain (Jabal Al Akhdar) region of eastern Libya, the Aslanta Temple—also known as the Aslanta Cave—is a mysterious rock-hewn sanctuary believed to date back to the 2nd century BC.
The area was once called Lasamix and is thought to have been founded by the Basilians, an ancient Libyan tribe. The site is notable for its carved stone reliefs and sculptures, attributed to early indigenous Libyan artists, and is considered one of the oldest ritual sites in the region.
Mentioned by Herodotus, Aslanta was believed to be a place of ritual sacrifices and offerings to the moon and sun. The site contains unusual carvings, including snakes with human heads, headless animals, and disembodied human heads, contributing to its mysterious aura.
The first exploration was in 1886 by German traveler Heymann, and formal excavations took place between 1912 and 1920. Scholars remain divided about its true purpose—some suggest links to human sacrifice, while others associate it with the Basilians, who were said to have perished in a conflict with the Nasomians, a tribe known for their resistance to snake venom.
Today, Aslanta remains one of Libya’s most enigmatic archaeological sites and a unique example of prehistoric Libyan rock art .

Jalu

Jalu is a large oasis located northeast of Awjila and is regarded as one of the most significant and fertile oases in Libya It is well known for its date production and for the wide palm groves that spread across its land Jalu also thrives as a center of local life with traditional markets and cultural festivals that showcase the heritage of the region making it a perfect place for eco tourism and for experiencing the authentic lifestyle of the oases

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Jaghbub

💫 💫 Jaghbub is located in southeastern Libya near the Egyptian border and is considered one of the most important oases in the country It has long been known as a spiritual and religious center for the Senussi order with historic lodges that once served as places of learning and guidance Surrounded by the silence and beauty of the desert Jaghbub offers visitors a sense of peace and reflection making it a unique destination for those seeking spiritual tourism and an authentic desert experience .

Tazirbu

Tazirbu is situated in southeastern Libya and is known as one of the most beautiful oases rich with natural fresh water springs Surrounded by greenery in the middle of the vast desert it forms a striking contrast that fascinates every visitor The oasis also holds old heritage buildings and ancient remains that add a historical dimension Tazirbu is a destination where nature and history come together offering a calm and refreshing environment for relaxation and exploration

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Al Uwaynat

💫 💫 Al Uwaynat lies in the far south of Libya at the border triangle with Egypt and Sudan and is distinguished by its rare natural scenery where high mountains rise above endless golden sands Hidden among its rocks are ancient carvings and drawings dating back thousands of years turning the area into an open air museum that tells the story of early human life in the Sahara It is an ideal destination for explorers travelers and lovers of desert adventures.

Awjila

Awjila is a historic oasis in the heart of the Libyan desert known since ancient times for its fertility and long history It is one of the oldest oases in North Africa and is famous for its ancient mosque considered one of the oldest in the region as well as its traditional mud brick houses that reflect authentic desert architecture Surrounded by vast palm groves Awjila offers a unique combination of history culture and natural beauty