Libya Part I : Leptis Magna

Ok. So I never actually thought I would ever go to Libya but when my mom asked me I thought to myself why not? It just sounded like one of those really off the beaten road type of places that most people would never go to.  My first question was "what are we gonna see there?" My second was "are we allowed to get in the country?".

To answer my first question- to the rest of the world that wasn't banned from entering the country, the Libyan coastline is dotted with rich history- from the Berber people to the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, they have all ruled Libya at one point in history or another.  In the early 1900s (prior to the former Gadaffi regime), Libya was part of Italy until about 1930.  It was of course a surprise that our driver spoke fluent Italian, remnants of the connections of the European nation not far across the Mediterranean.

One of the first places we visited in Libya is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Leptis Magna (now known as Sabratha), the birthplace of the Roman Emperor Septimius Serevus who ruled from 193-211. Much of the work done in Leptis Magna was carried out during the Italian occupation but there is still so much to uncover at Leptis Magna.  One of the nicest things about Leptis Magna versus more popular ruins like Ancient Ephesus in Turkey is that the tourist industry isn't as developed and thus you virtually have the place to yourself. Okok! enough history, onto the pictures already!

The most notable things to see at Leptis Magna is the Septus Severin arch. The thing is massive!

the Ampitheater

 In 2005, a group of Archeologists from Hamburg discovered a series of mosaics, kept intact and protected by mother nature as depicted below:

Uncovered mosaics overlooking the Mediterranean Sea

The Mosaic work from Leptis Magna is considered some of the best in the world

The Venus Forum

One of the most magnificent things on site is the Theater.  The degree to which this theater has been reconstructed is truly magnificent.  The fact that the theater overlooks the blue/green of the sea in the background adds a touch of je ne sais pas quoi that I have not experienced at any other ancient ruin.

Other things to see at Leptis Magna include the Septimius Serevus forum with its medusa like heads and the Roman Basilica with its intricate stone work around the doors. The immense size of the Roman Basilica is also something to marvel.  We spent a good four hours walking around but could have easily spent the whole day there.  

Leptis Magna is an incredible site to visit.  In addition to the site, the fact that it sits on the sea really sets it apart from other sites.  This is one of those must see sights as it is truly unparalleled and a hidden gem