Murzuk is an oasis town and the capital of the Murzuq District in the Fezzan region of southwest Libya.
The Murzuq Castle was built in the year 1310 AD, during the founding of the city, under the Kanem Empire.
Thereafter, the fort developed as the city of Murzuq became the capital of the Awlad Muhammad dynasty, which was founded by Muhammad al-Fasi in the 16th century. The dynasty ruled over the Fezzan region for nearly three centuries before the arrival of the Ottomans. During the Ottoman era, the castle was expanded and became a residence for the region’s ruler.
The castle is part of a group of ancient castles, which were of strategic importance in a number of Libyan cities. The castle has a high wall and lookout fortifications and was built of stone and rammed mud. It overlooks the top of a hill northwest of Murzuq city. From behind the doors, the squareshaped building appears, and in the middle of it materializes a courtyard. A picture of Murzuq Castle was placed on the Libyan currency, denomination of 1/4 dinars, in the 1981 and subsequent editions.
Murzuk fortress remained under Ottoman rule for 338 years (1578 – 1912) and was used as a military garrison.
Nowadays, walls have been built around the fortress, now in ruins for protection purposes.
