Ghat is the only large oasis in the south west of Libya and once an important caravan stop at the junction of several caravan routes. Even today it is an important centre for the Tuareg of this region. Today the historic old town is uninhabited but its stone walls and air-dried mud tiles still remain.

The striking white minaret of a mosque dominates the town. It was once the official residence of the Ottoman governor of Ghat and also served as a refuge in which the town’s inhabitants sought shelter when there was danger of attack.

The first written documents of Ghat date back to the middle of the nineteenth century when the Turks overthrew the town and appointed a governor. The inland remained in the hands of the Tuareg and the Orares, Iforas and Imanrasates tribes. Ghat has always been the centre for the Tuareg in this remote region and today they transport tourists through the desert on all-terrain vehicles!

Ghat is a precious legacy of our civilisation and one that hopefully will continue to survive for many years to come.