Libya

Cyrene

WHS Score 3.0
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Votes 10 Average 3.5
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Votes for Cyrene

2.0

  • Luis Filipe Gaspar

2.5

  • Eric Lurio
  • RobRos
  • Solivagant

3.5

  • Ali Zingstra

4.0

  • Kasper
  • Roger Ourset
  • Sergio Arjona

5.0

  • Harry Mitsidis
  • SaoDies

The Archaeological Site of Cyrene represents a Greek colony that was one of the principal cities in the Hellenic world.

Later in its history, it became a Roman city. The impressive remains include the sanctuary of Apollo, the Acropolis, and the Agora. Cyrene was known all across the Mediterranean in its heydays and played a role in myths and legends. It was destroyed by an earthquake and a tidal wave in 365. The rediscovery of its ruins in 1705-1706 has been very influential on the development of Neoclassicism.

Community Perspective: it’s a long way east along the coast to get there and you could spend a long time wandering. Solivagant has been the only reviewer so far.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Archaeological Site of Cyrene (ID: 190)
Country
Libya
Status
Inscribed 1982 Site history
History of Cyrene
2016: In Danger
Simultaneously with the four other World Heritage sites of Libya "because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses".
1982: Inscribed
Inscribed
In Danger
Simultaneously with the four other World Heritage sites of Libya "because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses". Since 2016
WHS Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • ii
  • iii
  • vi
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
Related Resources
News Article
  • March 3, 2025 arkeonews.net — Ancient Greek Tombstone Discovered in Cyrene After Storm ‘Daniel’
  • Oct. 6, 2023 reuters.com — Libya flood disaster damaged ancient city but revealed new remains
  • Sept. 2, 2015 independent.co.uk — £1.5m ancient Greek statue looted from Libyan heritage site Cyrene 'must be returned'
  • March 17, 2015 blogs.channel4.com — Cyrene: On the front line of Islamic State's war on history
  • March 8, 2015 theguardian.com — Isis vandalism has Libya fearing for its cultural treasures
  • Aug. 26, 2013 libyaherald.com — Cyrene's necropolis has been badly damaged by local residents

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Archaeological site: Ancient Greece
Travel Information
Red Zone Travel Advisory
Red Zone Travel Advisory
Libya fully off-limits
Recent Connections
View all (17) .
Connections of Cyrene
History
  • Ancient Greek colonies
  • Specified on Herodotus' Oikumene
  • Pentapolis
    The Western part of Cyrenaica as colonised by the Greeks from c 600BC "comprising five cities, hence known as the Pentapolis: Cyrene .. with its port of Apollonia (Marsa Susa), Arsinoe or Taucheira (Tocra), Euseperides or Berenice (near modern Benghazi), Balagrae (Bayda) and Barce(Mari) ... of which the chief was the eponymous Cyrene. The term "Pentapolis" continued to be used as a synonym for Cyrenaica" (Wiki). From 296, when Diocletian reorganised Cyrenaica into 2 provinces one, containing Cyrene, was called "Libia Pentapolis"
  • Mentioned by Pliny the Elder
    Chapter 6: Libya Mareotis; "it is 525 miles by land from Cyrene to Alexandria"
  • Hellenistic Greece
    "In the Hellenistic Age, the city alternated between being part of Ptolemaic Egypt and the capital of an independent kingdom." (wiki)

    See en.wikipedia.org

Architecture
  • Restored by anastylosis
    Wiki: "ongoing emergency conservation on a theater inside the Sanctuary of Apollo through the process of anastylosis"
Damaged
World Heritage Process
Religion and Belief
  • Mentioned in the Bible
    Matt 27:32, Mark 15;21 - Simon from Cyrene bore the cross; Acts 2:10, 6:9,, 11:20, 13:1 - references to people from Cyrene
Constructions
WHS on Other Lists
  • U.S. Ambassadors Fund
    Documentation and Training in the Management of Archaeological Collections at the Ancient Greco-Roman Site of Cyrene (2010), Preservation of Archaeological and Photographic Collections at the Ancient Greco-Roman Site of Cyrene (2005)
  • Global Heritage Fund
Timeline
  • Built in the 7th century BC
    founded in 630 BC as a settlement of the Greeks, one of its more significant features is the temple of Apollo which was originally constructed as early as 7th century BC (wiki)
Visiting conditions
WHS Names
Literature & Film
News
arkeonews.net 03/03/2025
Ancient Greek Tombstone Discovered…
reuters.com 10/06/2023
Libya flood disaster damaged ancie…
independent.co.uk 09/02/2015
£1.5m ancient Greek statue looted …

Community Reviews

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First published: 08/07/05.

Solivagant

Cyrene

Cyrene (Inscribed)

Cyrene by Solivagant

If you are really keen on ruins then your trip to Libya should include the long journey along the coast from the province of Tripolitania to that of Cyrenaica. There you will have left the ruins of Roman cities behind and moved into the territory of Greek ones! (Incidentally when Libya became an independent country after a period of UN trusteeship following WWII, serious consideration was given to these 2 provinces being made separate countries – they really are a long way apart with nothing much between them)

Although only the ancient Greek city of Cyrene has been inscribed by UNESCO it exists as a pair with Apollonia, its port situated some 15 kms away down from the hills (though that is certainly less interesting or impressive). Its hillside location helps give Cyrene a very pleasant situation. It is spread out over several levels and a walk down from the top gives attractive views both of what you are about to see and all the way down to the sea. You can read guide books on the details of the sights – it is very spread out and you could spend a long time wandering. The attached photo is of the “Forum of Proculus”. Looking back on it, our visit to Cyrene was perhaps carried out in a spirit of “travel duty” without any great enthusiasm or wonderful memories having been generated! It is an important and “world famous” site which one feels one ought to visit. In all honesty …

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