Teuchira
This ancient Greek city is located next to the present city of Torca, about 40 miles east of Benghazi. The drive along the coast is beautiful, with many interesting sights between the Al Jabal al Akudar mountains and the sea. Teuchira was founded about 500 BC. It was later occupied by the Romans who gave it the name of Cleopatris, after the daughter of Cleopatria and Mark Antony. Made of soft sandstone, it did not survive the great earthquake of 365 AD.
Newly ploughed field about 200 meters from the beach. Just outside of Torca.
The Greek city is situated within the area of an old fort. Built by the Turks during the time of the Ottoman Empire, and later used by the Italians.
Inside the gate, with the old fort to the far left. On the right is the quarry used by the Greeks to get stone for their buildings. They also buried their dead in niches carved into the walls of the quarry.
Looks just like the old forts I imagioned when playing as a child. Neat!
View from the top of the fort tower. The remains of the Greek city are spread across this wide area to the palm trees and edge of the current city in the distance.
A closer look.
This is the most intact building.
An elaborate mosaic floor.
Yep, Greek to me.
Like many old ruins, these were gradually reduced over time by builders looking for easy stone for constructing newer buildings in Torca. The remaining foundations have not been excavated or studied yet.
Kind of neat to have a "two-fer" here, with this old Ottoman fort. Still in pretty good shape.
A beach just out of Torca. Temperature about 75 degrees, light breeze off the water. Picnic anyone?