Zerzura

Zerzura is a mythical city or oasis that was long rumored to be located in the desert west of the Nile River in Egypt or Libya. In writings dating from the 13th century, there is mention of a city that is "white as a dove" and they called it "Oasis of the small birds".

More recently, European explorers made expeditions into the desert in search of Zerzura, but they were never successful in finding her. Ralph Bagnold of Great Britain, and Lászlo Almásy of Austria, led an expedition in search of Zerzura in the years 1929-1930 using Ford Model T trucks.

Despite not finding the city on their expedition, the participants created the Zerzura Club in a bar in Wadi Halfa, upon their return in 1930. Many of the club members maintained a bond of friendship and several served as officers in the British Army during World War II in Africa.

Books, movies and video games about Zerzura

• The Hunt for Zerzura and World War II about members of the Zerzura Club during the Second War by Saul Kelly.
• The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje who is based peripherally on the life of the Count of Almasy.
• Movie Zerzura.
• Zerzura: The Lost City, 2012 video game developed by Cranberry Production and distributed in Spain by FX Interactive.