Gasr Zerzi, Roman fort and cistern in Jabal al Gharbi District, Libya
Gasr Zerzi is a Roman fort with an attached water storage system in a dry valley of the Jabal al Gharbi District. The fortification measures approximately 13 by 9 meters and features ceramic vaulting designed to hold water supplies.
The site was built around 200 AD as a military outpost on the Limes Tripolitanus and monitored desert trade routes. It remained in operation until the 3rd century as part of Rome's effort to control movement across North Africa.
The name carries Arabic roots reflecting later settlement layers that built upon the Roman structures. Local people view the site as evidence of the region's long history of human occupation.
The site is located in a remote desert area and is best reached with suitable vehicles for rough terrain. Visitors should bring plenty of water and sun protection since the location offers little natural shade.
Inscriptions on the fort mention Roman emperors and show direct connections to imperial administration of that era. These carved details remain visible today for visitors and document how far the Roman administrative network reached.
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