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Byzantine Gate
Northwest of the basilica, a track leads to Via Trionfale (the Cardo) and the Byzantine Gate. Note the phallic reliefs to the right of the gate - one of many at junctions around the city - which suggest the existence of prostitutes in the ancient city. Also watch out for what look
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Ain al
Maziqh St continues to the outer reaches of old Ghadames. At the end, turn left where a few twists and turns between walled gardens and mud-brick houses, past Dan Bero and the Dan Bero Coffee Shop. Youll finally reach Ain al-Faras, the site of a deep well that gave birth to the cre
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House of Hesychius
On the hill overlooking the agora is the home of Hesychius, a Christian who returned to Cyrene after the AD 365 earthquake in a bid to restore the glory days of the city. Hesychius was a friend of the philosopher and bishop Sinesius. There is a fine mosaic of an angel on the northw
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Masjed Jamal Abdel Nasser
The supremely elegant Masjed Jamal Abdel Nasser was originally the austere, neo-Romanesque Catholic cathedral. The conversion from church to mosque took place on 29 November 1970 in the days after the revolution, with the architectural work being completed in 2003. Much of the form
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Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore
The Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, an unusual circular structure, was the scene of a riotous, women-only, annual celebration and feast. As part of the festivities, the women of Cyrene proceeded from here to the Temple of Demeter, which is outside the city walls and visible in the d
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Temple of Artemis
On the northern side of the Temple of Apollo is the Temple of Artemis. The foundation was laid in the 6th century BC and is thought by some archaeologists to pre-date the Apollo temple. It consisted of a room, or cella, with columns in the centre. It may once have celebrated both A
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Old Forum
The Old Forum of Leptis Magna was the centre of the first Punic settlement on the site (from the 7th century BC) and the early Roman era. The barely excavated remains of Punic houses are off to the northeast. This square was allowed to fall into neglect after the shift of the city
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Old Town Hall
Benghazis Old Town Hall runs along the western side of Freedom Sq. Built during the period of Italian occupation, the town hall is now derelict, rubbish-strewn and closed to the public, although traces of its former elegance remain nonetheless. The decaying, whitewashed Italianate
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Temple of Isis
The superb Temple of Isis is arguably the finest of Sabrathas temples. Built in the 1st century AD, it faces onto the Mediterranean in keeping with its dedication to the Egyptian goddess Isis, who was seen here as a protector of sailors. Every spring a great feast was held to celeb
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Al
Al-Saraya al-Hamra, known as Tripoli Castle or Red Castle, was closed for renovations when we visited, but it should be a fascinating window on the past when it reopens. The castle represented the seat of power in Tripolitania until the 20th century and has evolved over the centuri
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Old French Consulate
The Old French Consulate, not far south of the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, dates from 1630 and is arrayed around a two-storey tiled courtyard with delightful arches, coloured windows and woodwork. Note in particular the crescent and a Star of David carved into the wooden doors above t
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Judicial Basilica
The Judicial Basilica or House of Justice, was originally erected in the 1st century AD. Most of what remains (marble columns and some excellent paving fragments) dates from around AD 450, during the Byzantine period. Between these dates, the building changed function as Sabratha m
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Curia
On the northern side of the forum is the Curia, marked by a restored archway at the entrance. The Curia was the meeting place of the citys magistrates and senators and consisted of a four-sided courtyard covered with a mosaic. The wide steps around the perimeter were used for porta
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Tripoli Zoo
One of the definite highlights is the surprisingly good Tripoli Zoo, which youll find south of the city centre in the 200-hectare An-Nasr Forest. Most of the enclosures are spacious and reasonably well kept and include elephants, lions, tigers, reptiles, monkeys, gazelle and waddan
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Mausoleum B
Mausoleum B, nearly 100m northwest of the Cardo, offers a rare insight into Punic Sabratha, although what you see is a reconstruction of the original. The mausoleum is nearly 24m tall and stands on the site of an underground funerary chamber dating from the 2nd century BC. It has a
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Temple of Liber Pater
East of the Curia is the Temple of Liber Pater, which was never rebuilt after the AD 365 earthquake. It is marked by five columns in light sandstone on a high podium overlooking the monumental heart of ancient Sabratha. It was once flanked on three sides by a double colonnade of sa
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Roman Baths
The Roman Baths are the last buildings as you leave the site via the northern gate. Built in AD 98-99 under the emperor Trajan and restored by Hadrian, these baths contain some good mosaics and cipolin columns. The frigidarium is the best preserved room of the baths complex and con
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Arch of Septimus Severus
This is one of Leptis signature monuments and the grandest possible introduction to the architectural excesses of the city. It was built in AD 203 to commemorate the emperor and his family, and to mark his visit to his native city. The core of the structure was built of limestone,
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Necropolis
Cut into cliff face along the old road down to Apollonia and in the countryside in all directions for miles around Cyrene are the more than 2000 tombs of the old Necropolis. Originally built by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, they were used and added to by the Romans and Byzantin
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Forum
The large open square on your right a few hundred metres after the entrance gate was originally built by the Greeks in the 2nd century BC as a gymnasium. As the major sporting building of Cyrenes upper terrace, it was surrounded on four sides by Doric columns and the open palaestra
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