Shahhat

Shahhat is a city located in the Cyrenaica region of northeastern Libya. It is situated on a plateau overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 20 kilometers east of the modern city of Susa (ancient Apollonia) and 100 kilometers east of Benghazi. The area is known for its rugged terrain and historical significance.

Historically, Shahhat is most famous for being the site of the ancient Greek city of Cyrene. Founded by colonists from Thera (modern Santorini) in the 7th century BCE, Cyrene quickly became a prominent city-state in North Africa, renowned for its philosophers, poets, and as a center of the cult of Apollo. The ruins of Cyrene, located in and around modern Shahhat, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and include impressive remains of temples, agoras, theaters, and residential areas, offering a glimpse into Hellenistic and Roman urban life.

The modern city of Shahhat is a regional administrative center and agricultural hub. It serves the surrounding rural population and benefits from its proximity to the coast and its historical heritage. The economy is based on agriculture, with olives and barley being significant crops, and also on tourism attracted by the archaeological sites. The landscape around Shahhat is characterized by fertile plains inland and a more arid coastline.