Villa Sileen

The gracious Roman Villa Sileen is all of that remains of the villa of the elite that once dominated the Libya coast around leptis Magna. (Lebda) It served as a purpose akin to a country retreat from the daily hustles. Located about 12 km from Leptis Magna, the villa was inhabited in the 2nd century ad, and was The sight was discovered around 1974. Consisting of 20 rooms, including domed baths. Wall paintings and mosaics grace the villa, now on the edge of the coast, which are so well preserved because just like Leptis magne, the villa had been covered by sand dunes over the centuries. The villa faces onto the sea, ad its modern day seclusion only adds to the beauty.

In the main western wing of the villa, the floor of every room is covered with fantastic mosaic tiles, while the floor centrepieces are exquisite with tiny pieces used to extraordinary detailed effect. The eastern wing is topped with a number of sand coloured domes. Inside are former baths, complete with swimming pools and hot tubs. Some of the walls are made of marble. The subject-matter of the interior decoration includes scenes of hunting and chariot racing, with mosaics depicting scenes of the Nile with pygmies fighting crocodiles, as well as sea nymphs and tritons.