states: [libya]
category: cultural
year: 1986
region: Arab States
latitude/longitude: 30.1333333300, 9.5000000000
unesco id: 362
world heritage site: 362
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The Old Town of Ghadamès, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Libya, is an ancient oasis town known as the "Pearl of the Desert." Its well-preserved old town features unique mud-brick architecture with a vertical layout: ground floors for storage, family quarters above, and rooftop terraces for women, connected by shaded alleys. This design, developed over centuries, reflects sustainable adaptation to the harsh desert climate. Inscribed in 1986, Ghadamès exemplifies traditional Berber urban planning and cultural heritage.