Ghardaia, UNESCO World Heritage city in M'Zab Valley, Algeria
Ghardaia is a city in the M'Zab Valley featuring white, pink, and red houses built from earth and clay that rise in terraces along the river. The structures form a dense network of narrow streets winding through multiple levels of the settlement.
The city was established in 1048 by Mozabite Berbers as part of a network of five settlements in the M'Zab Valley. It became a major trading center and remains a significant settlement in this desert region.
The Mozabite community continues to live here with customs passed down through generations, creating a distinct social fabric. You notice this in the pyramid-shaped mosques and traditional markets that are woven into the daily rhythm of the city.
Explore early in the morning or late afternoon when temperatures are more comfortable for walking. The narrow streets provide natural shade, but bring plenty of water and sun protection since direct sunlight is strong during midday hours.
The street layout is deliberately designed with narrow, winding passages and tall walls that work together to create shade and allow air to flow naturally. This emerged from survival needs in a harsh climate rather than modern planning, revealing how inhabitants adapted to extreme heat centuries ago.
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