Ghadames Museum, archaeological museum in Ghadames, Libya
Ghadames Museum is a museum in the ancient city of Ghadames in Libya and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses artifacts spanning different periods, including stone tools from prehistoric times, fossils, Roman temple column bases, remains from an early Christian church, traditional crafts made from palm fibers, and household objects such as locks and traditional Libyan boots.
Ghadames was known in ancient times as Cydamus and served as a major trading center under Roman rule, evidenced by temple column bases displayed in the museum. The collection also preserves architectural elements from an early Christian church whose columns were later incorporated into Libya's oldest mosque, the Sidi Badrī Mosque.
The museum displays traditional crafts like palm weaving, textile work, and pottery that remain part of local life in Ghadames. It also presents wedding customs including ceremonial garments worn during henna celebrations and local musical instruments such as the Imzad, which women traditionally play.
The museum is located in the old town of Ghadames and is best reached by flying to nearby Sabha and then traveling by car or bus. Visitors should bring water and sun protection as the desert sun can be intense, and should respect local customs including asking permission before taking photographs.
The museum preserves columns that originally came from an early Christian church and were later incorporated into Libya's oldest mosque. These columns reveal how different religious periods overlapped within the same physical structure and how the city preserved its architectural layers across centuries.
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