Latrun Basilicas
Two Byzantine churches standing above the Cyrenaican coast at Al-Atrun.
Updated 14 October 2026
At Al-Atrun on the Cyrenaican coast stand two Byzantine churches, the eastern one substantially intact with its apse, columns and much of its wall height surviving, built of local limestone in the fifth or sixth century when this coast was densely settled and Christian. They stand in the open above the sea with nothing else around them. The stone has weathered to a warm colour and the setting is the main part of the effect. The name Latrun comes from the Arabic form of the Greek for the place, and the site sits on a stretch of coast that carried a dense scatter of Byzantine churches.
What's there
- The eastern basilica - the better preserved church with apse and columns standing.
- The western basilica - the second building alongside it.
- The limestone masonry - local stone weathered to a warm colour.
- The coastal setting - the churches standing alone above the sea.
When to go
March to May and October to November are the comfortable months. Summer is hot on the coast. Winter brings rain.
What to expect
The site is unfenced and unmaintained with stone falling. There is no interpretation. Travel in Libya requires arrangements through a licensed operator.
Nearby
Ras al-Hilal is east, and Apollonia is west.
What to pack for Latrun Basilicas
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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