Libya: Gharyan – Troglodyte Houses

This was very unusual and spectacular – Gharyan is known for its bizarre troglodyte houses – unique underground dwellings carved into the soft limestone of the mountainside. These cave homes, known locally as “damous,” were first constructed around the 16th century by Jewish refugees fleeing Spanish occupation of Tripoli in 1510, with some possibly dating back over 2,300 years. They were designed to provide insulation from harsh winters and scorching summers, while remaining nearly invisible from a distance for protection against invaders. These homes were built by digging vertically 6–10m into the ground to create a central courtyard, with rooms excavated horizontally around it for light and ventilation. The interiors are decorated with traditional Berber colorful rugs and clay pots. The main house that has been restored to the museum-level is Al-Arabi Belhaj, it was dug in 1666 and housed multiple families until 1990. Historically, hundreds of these homes existed, but many were abandoned in the 1950s. During Libya’s 2011 conflict, some families returned to the caves for safety from shelling. Today, only about ten remain.