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The Ksar of Taghit is an ancient fortified village located in the oasis of Taghit, near Béchar, in southwestern Algeria. Built in the 11th century, it stands as an important testimony to the millennia-old history of the region.
History
The construction of the ksar is attributed to at least two local saints: Sid Slimane and Merabet Sid Ahmed, from the Amara tribe, originally from the Sahel and Séguia El Hamra. According to some sources, the building was the work of an ancestor of Merouane Taghiti, a contemporary architect and guide of the area.
The ksar was inhabited until 1991, when the last of the 60 resident families left the site. Despite its abandonment, the site has undergone numerous restorations aimed at preserving its original appearance.
Architecture and Location
The Ksar of Taghit is built on a rocky plateau overlooking the Zousfana River and its oasis. It offers a panoramic view of the great dune to the east. The fortified village comprises about 120 houses, now uninhabited.
The houses and walls of the ksar are built with rammed earth, a mixture of soil extracted from the riverbed and straw, forming a material resistant to extreme climatic conditions. This construction technique ensures good thermal insulation, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer.
Access to the interior of the ksar is through a low gate, leading to a complex network of narrow, winding alleys. These passages, sometimes covered, adapt to the irregularities of the rocky terrain, creating a picturesque maze between the houses.
Heritage and Tourism
Today, the Ksar of Taghit has become a major tourist attraction in the region. Visitors can stroll through its narrow alleys, discover its small squares, and imagine the daily life of its former inhabitants. Shops offering local handicrafts have been set up around the site.
The ksar has also hosted cultural events, such as the 5th university of COPEAM (Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual).
The Ksar of Taghit is an ancient fortified village located in the oasis of Taghit, near Béchar, in southwestern Algeria. Built in the 11th century, it stands as an important testimony to the millennia-old history of the region.
History
The construction of the ksar is attributed to at least two local saints: Sid Slimane and Merabet Sid Ahmed, from the Amara tribe, originally from the Sahel and Séguia El Hamra. According to some sources, the building was the work of an ancestor of Merouane Taghiti, a contemporary architect and guide of the area.
The ksar was inhabited until 1991, when the last of the 60 resident families left the site. Despite its abandonment, the site has undergone numerous restorations aimed at preserving its original appearance.
Architecture and Location
The Ksar of Taghit is built on a rocky plateau overlooking the Zousfana River and its oasis. It offers a panoramic view of the great dune to the east. The fortified village comprises about 120 houses, now uninhabited.
The houses and walls of the ksar are built with rammed earth, a mixture of soil extracted from the riverbed and straw, forming a material resistant to extreme climatic conditions. This construction technique ensures good thermal insulation, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer.
Access to the interior of the ksar is through a low gate, leading to a complex network of narrow, winding alleys. These passages, sometimes covered, adapt to the irregularities of the rocky terrain, creating a picturesque maze between the houses.
Heritage and Tourism
Today, the Ksar of Taghit has become a major tourist attraction in the region. Visitors can stroll through its narrow alleys, discover its small squares, and imagine the daily life of its former inhabitants. Shops offering local handicrafts have been set up around the site.
The ksar has also hosted cultural events, such as the 5th university of COPEAM (Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual).
