Ghardaïa Algeria Day 1

Ghardaïa is located in northern-central Algeria in the Sahara and lies along the left bank of the Wadi Mzab. We arrived at the small airport in the evening.

The original architecture of the semi desert valley is dated to early 11th century and much of that architecture and culture survives today. The M'zab in the Ghardaïa Province was made a World Heritage Site in 1982, as a cultural property for its settlement affecting urban planning even to the present century, Ibadi cultural values, and as a settlement culture which has prevailed to the present century.

The Ibadis settled in five fortified villages located on rocky outcrops, known locally as “Kosars”, although they could have lived in one larger village encompassing all five. The habitation was planned to precise layouts defined by set principles of community living within a defensive environment. Ghardaïa's foundation has been dated to 1048 or 1053.

The villages were fortified in such a manner that they were inaccessible to the nomadic groups. The five villages were Ghardaïa, Melika, Beni Isguen, Bou Noura and El Atteuf. The identical “miniature citadels”, as they are termed, each had their own mosque with minaret functioning as watch towers, and the houses built around the mosque in concentric circles and surrounded by a high walls (extending up to the ramparts). (Wikipedia)

We stayed at Gîte Tarist which was nicely decorated in the traditional M'zabite style. They handled all of the transportation and tours in the city so it was an easy weekend trip. They provided a relaxing, enjoyable, and interesting time. Here's some pics inside from our evening arrival and some day pics outside.

Heading to the Market

lots of cool decorations in the traffic circles

Traditional Market

Beni Isguen

Wikipedia: The city of Beni Isguen and the rest of the Mzab Valley have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Among the protected areas, the ksar of Beni Isguen has preserved its organizational model since its foundation, in particular its enclosure bordered on the interior by an alley and dotted with watchtowers.

Beni Isguen has a pyramidal plan, like all the ksours of the pentapolis, its concentric layout is organized around the mosque and its minaret. The highest point of the city is the Boulila tower. It has two main gates located to the North and South: Bab Chergui and Bab Gherbi and three other gates lead to the different cemeteries. The entrance to the city is through a heavy gate, made of palm trunks.

Local life is regulated by customary laws, as in every city of the pentapolis. Having become a holy city of Mzab, Beni Isguen is characterized by a very particular puritanism which forbids men from smoking in the streets. It is a city rich in libraries set up in houses which possess numerous manuscripts and works.

In the market square, called Lalla Achou, located on the outskirts, a lively auction market takes place every day except Friday, which is a kind of flea market. Commercial transactions take place under the control of members of the assembly of the "Azzaba" , and Mozabite women are not allowed to cross the square.

The houses in the city have two doors: one for family members and one for guests; the exterior windows are small to allow one to see without being seen.