Tiered houses
Clinging to the rock.
Skander zarrad — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gabriel Rodríguez — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ggeorgery — CC BY-SA 4.0
An old Berber village on a mountaintop between two rocky ridges near Tataouine. It was a fortified granary, with its oldest buildings dating to the twelfth century, and its houses cling to the rock in tier after tier up to the summit. It was built on the heights for protection from raids, and some of its people, around five hundred Berber farmers and herders, still live in caves carved into the rock and use some of the old cells to store grain. On the edge of the ridge stands a small white mosque visible from afar, reached by a rocky path between the houses and cells, with views over the valley and the new village below. The area is linked with the Star Wars films, and one of the moons of the hero's home planet was even named Chenini. Entry is free, and some villagers offer to guide visitors for a tip. The path is rocky and steep, so wear suitable shoes and avoid the midday hours in summer.
Clinging to the rock.
On the ridge.
Over the valley.
About 20 km west of Tataouine
Yes, around five hundred Berber farmers and herders, some in caves carved into the rock.