Ghadhames sits about 400 miles southwest of Tripoli, near the borders of Tunisia and Algeria. Many years ago, Ghadhames served as the southern-most outpost of the Roman Empire. Even today, this oasis town is the final point of civilization before coming to the barren lands of the Sahara Desert.

Ghadhames remains a traditional desert village. The town is best known for its exquisite desert architecture. Once Ghadhames was known as the Pearl of the Desert and was a popular getaway destination for the residents of Tripoli. Over the past 50 years, a more modern city has been built around the ancient desert village.

Sights to See

Besides the architecture, which is worth a visit on its own account, there are some other interesting sights in Ghadhames. The D’jmaa al-Kabir is translated into English as the Big Mosque. This is one of the sights in the old town. Visitors are allowed to climb the stairs, and from the top of the mosque, the visitor is able to get an all-encompassing view of Ghadhames.

The square of the Mulberry was once the old slave market. It is near the Big Mosque. Ghadhames was once an important stop in the trade routes that came from the black countries of Africa. In Ghadhames and across the desert, gold, salt, and slaves often traded hands and were used as barter.

The House Museum is not a museum in the traditional sense of the word. Near the western entrance of the old town, this former home of a merchant has been kept intact, with its original furnishings and decorations. Although one will not see great artifacts and works of art in the House Museum, it is an opportunity for visitors to see how the people of Ghadhames once lived.

Inside Old Town

When Ghadhames was originally built, it was designed with the desert heat in mind. The alleyways and streets of the old town are covered to protect from the extreme heat and unbearable sunshine. So instead of streets, they are tunnels that twist and wind throughout the old city, shading the residents and visitors alike, providing a cool respite. All of the tunnels make the city dark and necessitate the use of flashlights during the day.

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