In historical times, Ghat was a major terminal point on the Trans-Saharan trade route. It was a stronghold for the Kel Ajjer Tuareg federation until 1913 when the city was occupied by Italy as a colony. Italy's control there was precarious for a long time, but became stronger in 1923 when the Fascist regime started), due to the strong active presence of the brotherhood of the Senussi. To defend their positions, Italians built a fortress (started in the 19th century) that dominates the city from the hill of Koukemen. This fort still standing is a tourist destination of the city.
During the Second World War, Ghat was occupied by French from 1943 until January 1, 1952, when the UN General Assembly passed a resolution stating that Libya should become independent.
Ghat was the stronghold of the Kel Ajjer Tuareg confederation; this traditional entity covers the south-western Libya (to Ubari, Sebha and Ghadames) and south-eastern Algeria (Djanet and Alezi).
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Ghat (Libya)
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Ghat (Libya) - updated Apr 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Ghat (Libya) hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
Ghat (Libya) Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
