Wadi Al-Kuf
Wadi Al-Kuf holds great historical significance for most modern Libyans. This was the location where the famous Omar al-Mukhtar led the Libyan resistance movement against the Italians. In 1927 this was the site of some of the major battles of the resistance. The Libyan resistance fighters succeeded in halting the Italian forces movement southward from the Mediterranean towards their objective of Al-Kufra in the deep south. The Wadi Al-Kuf is full of natural caves that gave excellent refuge to the resistance. The saga of the resistance, and of the brutal Italian occupation of Libya is now almost lost in history. But, it is an amazing history, and a real must study for anyone visiting Libya.
The Wadi Al-Kuf is now spanned by this modern bridge. Built by, of all people, the Italians.
In the 1920's the Italian forces had to cross this great canyon. Doing so exposed them to the well organized reistance.
One of many large caves in the limestone cliffs.
The Italians finally decded to build this iron bridge across the Wadi as a hoped for safe way to ferry troops across. This was the very spot where the resistance, under the leadership of 73 year old Omar al-Mukhtar, ambushed the Italian forces for a major victory, temporarily halting the Italian movement south. The saga of Omar al-Mukhtar was dramatized in the popular 1960's movie Lion of the Desert, starring Anthony Quinn.
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