Northern Cyrenaica is littered with ancient ruins revealing the historical legacy of this region.
The ruins are remnants of Greek and Roman buildings from the time when these ancient civilisations colonised this part of Libya.
The Greeks founded Cyrenaica in around 600 BC, only for it to be taken over by the Romans 500 years later.
Although both Greeks and Romans left their mark on the region, it was the Greeks who first established most of the major cities along the Cyrenaica coastline: Cyrene, Apollonia, Tolmeita and Benghazi (then called Euesperides).
The ruins were once temples or religious monuments, large houses for important citizens, or municipal structures such as amphitheatres or cemeteries.
Many were modelled on buildings found in Greece or Rome, though they were often more impressive than the originals.
For example, the Temple of Zeus in Cyrene was larger than the
Parthenon in Athens.
Intricate mosaics have been uncovered in the Cyrenaican ruins, along with advanced plumbing systems incorporating water cisterns.
It is possible to see these today though most are badly damaged after more than 2,500 years exposed to the elements.
Historians have discovered through literary evidence that a major earthquake in 365 AD destroyed many of the magnificent structures.
Temples were shaken to the ground as the earthquake, its epicentre in Crete, destroyed much of southern Europe and northern Africa.
Today, the architecture of northern Cyranaica is very different from how it was before the Crete earthquake.
Arab, Ottoman and Italian rule have also influenced the styles of cities such as Benghazi, which is divided into quarters of contrasting architecture.
Now, modern structures spring up alongside the ruins and colonial buildings, bringing a sense of progress through history to the region.