The stage front
Three levels of columns.
Houss 2020 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Houss 2020 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Houss 2020 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Houss 2020 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Houss 2020 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Sabratha is an archaeological site on the Mediterranean coast west of Tripoli, the westernmost of the three cities of Tripolis along with Oea and Leptis Magna. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1982. Its tall Roman theatre alone makes it one of the finest sites in North Africa, with golden columns set against the blue sea. Its port was founded about 500 BC as a Phoenician trading post, an outlet for goods from inside Africa. It later fell under Carthage, and after the Punic Wars it was briefly part of the Numidian kingdom of Massinissa before Rome absorbed it. Italian archaeologists rebuilt the theatre in the 20th century, giving the stage front the look you see today. You see the stage front with its three levels of columns, the semicircular tiers and the sea behind. You then walk among the remains of temples, baths and mosaics to a rocky shore nearby. From the top of the tiers you look over the ruins of the whole city. The best light comes late in the day, when the stone turns gold. It is about 66 km in a straight line from Tripoli, and the best way there is by car with your tour operator. The ground is exposed, so bring water and a hat. We found no confirmed recent fee. Sources say foreigners need a tour operator or local sponsor to visit Libya. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to this area, so check official guidance before making any plans.
Three levels of columns.
Looking over city and sea.
Ruins by the water.
Mediterranean coast, west of Tripoli, Libya
Italian archaeologists rebuilt it in the 20th century using parts of the original.
Check official guidance first, as the UK Foreign Office advises against travel to this area.