Sabratha, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its inspiring setting on the Mediterranean coast, has one of the outstanding theatres of the ancient world. Behind the elevated stage is a three tiered façade supported by 96 columns. In front of the stage is a frieze of intricately carved white marble. It is very impressive indeed. The theatre has been painstakingly restored with masterful results. 

The monuments in the centre of Sabratha, as well as the Seaward baths and Temple of Isis are almost intact. Many excellent remains can be seen in the city. The Roman museum here houses some very fine relics including superb mosaics and statues taken from Sabratha.

Leptis Magna

Leptis Magna is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 3^rd century AD Roman Emperor, Septimus Severus, was born here, and provided the energy and foresight for this great city.   Built of hard local limestone, it was abandoned to the encroaching sand dunes in 11^th century and its excavation was not started until the 20^th century. It is one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world.  A showcase of Roman town planning, it is so well preserved that as you wander down the main colonnaded street, with its shop fronts and urban sprawl it is easy to imagine a living city.

It is a vast city, so we will mention only a very few of the highlights. The superbly preserved Baths of Hadrian are the largest outside Rome itself. The Severan forum is a spectacular sight with its high walls still standing. Intricately carved marble Medusa heads lie on the ground waiting to be restored to their original place. Colossal finely sculpted red granite columns used to support the roof at either end of the adjacent Basilica. These columns are still in place. The Basilica was used in Roman times as a law court. The 5000-seat theatre is one of the oldest stone theatres in the world. Climb to the top of the theatre and you will have an unforgettable view of the city and its dazzling Mediterranean location. One of the most unusual and attractive monuments is the market place with two richly decorated octagonal halls where stalls were set up. This was the most chic market of its time.

Many of the floors of the public buildings and much of the stonework were originally covered in the finest coloured marbles. It is amazing now. It was a magical place then. Entering through the huge majestic arch of Septimus Severus, one can imagine what the city of 80,000 people was like in its heyday. The museum here is well organised and beautifully laid out, and presents a clear picture of the old city.

Video: In September, 2011, BBC TV visited Leptis Magna with a tour guide who has lived there his whole life. Watch here

Theatre

Villa Sileen

Villa Sileen close to the city of Leptis was discovered in 1974 buried under sand dunes. It was lived in by a wealthy Roman family possibly as a country retreat from the busy life in Tripoli. The floors in the main living area are covered with exquisite mosaic tiles and some of the walls are adorned with frescoes. The baths complete with swimming pool have on their walls magnificent frescoes of bath scenes. It is an incredible experience to enter a Roman house whose only obvious missing parts are some mosaic tiles and frescoes whose colour has probably faded with time.

Mosaics at Villa Sileen

Tripoli

Tripoli is a warm and alluring city. The walled medieval medina retains its serene old world ambience. It is not just a fascinating market, but it contains old consulates and private houses of the wealthy, some now converted for other uses. Many mosques are hidden behind its walls.

The interior of the Gurgi mosque is the most beautiful in the city. Close to the Gurgi mosque is the triumphal arch of Marcus Aurelius in an excellent state of preservation. Built in 163AD, this is almost all that survives of Roman Tripoli (known as Oea.)  The Medina has all the intrigue of an Arab medina.

In contrast modern Tripoli with its unique mixture of architecture has adapted to the 21^st century with modern hotels and shops. The Jamahiriya Museum, the National museum of Libya, has one of the finest collections of artefacts in the Mediterranean of which all are Libyan.  Good restaurants and flourishing markets of all kinds abound. Everyone is friendly. It is a truly cosmopolitan city and very accepting of the visitor of any nationality.
 

The Souq al-Ghizdir in the medina

Grand Italianate architecture