Qasr Libya is located about 50 miles to the west of Cyrene
city. The name Qasr or Qaser Libya means the
"castle of
Libya"
(with the usual change of L to R) and hence the
place is also known as
"Castle Libya". Some archaeologists referred to this location by the
name of
Qasr el-Lebia or Qaser Libia, and further suggested
that it may have been related to the ancient village
of Olbia, a settlement that was the seat of a Bishopric
during the Byzantine period in classical Libya, situated
along the road to Albieda or Albyda. The city was attacked
several times by various invaders, but it was however restored to its glory by the Byzantine
emperor Justinian in 539 AD, who named it Theodorais,
after his wife Theodora who was brought up in nearby
Apollonia.
Libya Castle (Fort)
Qasr Libya is mainly known for its 6th century
Byzantine church, with a stunning mosaic
floor panels, widely viewed as some of the world's
finest examples. The theme is mainly mythical representation
of the various spiritual beings of the pre-Roman
era, as well as those of Christian symbolism, strongly
indicating a time when both Paganism and Christianity
were equally tolerated. The mosaic floor was discovered
in 1957 by some labourers working on an American-sponsored
project.
The magical garden of Gasr Libya.
The garden around the Castle of Libya
during the month of February.
One mosaic is divided into 50
square panels (10 rows by 5 each), separated by a guilloche
design. Among the gods depicted are four River-gods,
including Geon (Nile), Physon, Tigris and Euphrates,
later assimilated as the Four Rivers of Paradise.
An inscription on one of these reads:
"the new city, Theodorias", flanked by female personifications
of Kosmesis (adornment), Ktisis (foundation) and Ananeosis (renewal), which
some say were associated with the renaming of Olbia in honour
of Theodora, the wife of the Emperor Justinian (around
539 AD). In addition to gods and goddesses there are images of human figures,
horsemen, musicians, seamen (including a merman with trident), sea monsters,
birds, ostriches, crocodiles, bulls, zebras and leopards.
