The Castle Nalut, Berber fortress in Nalut, Libya.
Nalut Castle is a fortified Berber settlement in the Nafusa Mountains containing roughly 400 rooms distributed across multiple levels. The structure uses local stone and traditional mud-brick techniques, with the layout adapted to the natural slope of the terrain.
Inhabitants of the Nafusa Mountains built this settlement in the 10th century to defend against threats and control trade routes in the region. The fortress became the heart of local community life and served generations as protection and storage.
The fortress shows how the Berber community organized its supplies and security through thoughtful building design. The stacked storage rooms were central to mountain life and reveal how people here worked together to face challenges.
The location sits at 789 meters elevation and requires steady footing on uneven paths between buildings. Visitors should wear proper shoes and take time to explore the complex layout of stairs and walkways.
The settlement contains specialized vertical storage chambers called ghorfas that remained cool without mechanical ventilation. The design relied on natural air movement to keep food fresh in the hot desert environment.
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