Zliten, Libya

Welcome to Zliten, a city located in the Murqub District of Libya. This hidden gem is often overlooked by tourists, but it boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious local cuisine. Zliten is situated 160 km (99 mi) east of the capital, Tripoli, and about 35 km (22 mi) east of the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna. It is about 60 km (37 mi) west of the city of Misrata and 40 km (25 mi) east of Khoms. The name Zliten is derived from the name of the Isliten tribe, an old branch of the Nafzawa Berbers. Members of this tribe used to live in Libya and Tunisia, but are also known to have lived as far west as Morocco. They are mentioned by Leo Africanus in the 16th century as living in western Libya.

Zliten is home to one of Libya’s most renowned Islamic universities, Al-Jamiaa Al-Asmariya Al-Islamiya. It includes a number of faculties; Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry and Mouth Surgery, and Faculty of Education. There is also a higher vocational training center covering various engineering fields. Zliten has several modern banking institutions, a major shopping center and the Zliten Hotel, the city’s top accommodation for tourists.

There are many ancient Roman sites in Zliten, such as the coastal Villa of Omira where several impressive mosaics were discovered, and the Castle in Al-Jumaa. The town also contains the Mausoleum and Mosque of Abd As-Salam Al-Asmar, Mosque of Abu-Minjal, Mosque of Albaza and many other mosques. The town is famous for its olives, palm trees and citrus fruits along beautiful coastal shores. Zliten has a proliferation of date palms that yield what is considered by many to be the best rubb (date juice) in Libya. Tarbuni is often served with the most famous local dish asida, made from flour, boiled with salt, and eaten with olive and date juice. Asida is usually served as a quick meal for cold nights in winter. It is usually reserved to commemorate important religious occasions such as the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Asida is also the celebratory dish of choice for Tripolitanian families when a child is born.

Zliten has had a tumultuous past, having been contested during both the 2011 Libyan Civil War and the Second Libyan Civil War. However, the city has persevered and remains a beautiful and culturally rich destination for travelers. Come visit Zliten and discover the many treasures this city has to offer!