UNESCO, known as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945. This organization announces a list of historical, natural, or cultural sites around the world and calls for their protection and preservation from destruction. The list includes more than 890 sites located in over 148 countries.
Libya is one of the countries with numerous historical and natural sites that UNESCO has recognized as World Heritage Sites, and it is crucial to ensure their conservation. Five of these sites have been officially added to UNESCO’s list.
World Heritage Sites in Libya
1. Leptis Magna
Also known as "Lepcis Magna" it was a thriving city during the Roman Empire. It is located in the city of Khoms and has been classified by UNESCO as a cultural site on its World Heritage list.
2. Sabratha Archaeological Site
Located in the city of Sabratha in the Zawiya District, it was a Phoenician trade center facilitating the entry of goods into Africa in ancient times. It was rebuilt during the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
3. Cyrene Archaeological Site
Located in the Green Mountain District, this is one of the oldest historical sites. It was a Greek colony before becoming a Roman city until the earthquake of 365 AD. It contains ruins dating back over a thousand years.
4. Acacus Mountains
These are rocky formations located in the historical region of Fezzan. They feature many carvings and paintings depicting animals, plants, and more, with the oldest dating back over 21,000 years.
5. Ghadames
A Libyan city known for its ancient, multi-layered architectural design. Each layer served a specific purpose, such as ground-level storage and open terraces for women.
In addition to these five UNESCO-recognized cultural sites in Libya, there are three more on the tentative World Heritage list. According to the Libyan News Agency, the Department of Antiquities received a notification from UNESCO on July 28 confirming the acceptance of nomination files for three Libyan archaeological sites. These sites are the city of Ptolemais, the Cave of Haua Fteah in the Green Mountain, and the ancient city of Gerza in Sirte, all of which have been placed on the tentative World Heritage list.
The inclusion of such places on UNESCO’s list is a positive development that promotes tourism in Libya and helps visitors discover these historical and archaeological sites.
Furthermore, the Minister of Tourism stated during the 12th session of the Conference of Tourism Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Khiva, Uzbekistan, that Libya is recovering from the aftermath of wars and instability, and it will become a promising tourism destination.
He confirmed that there is significant interest in tourism in Libya, with clear indicators of the country’s recovery from previous crises, including the global COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Derna Dam collapse.