Ouadane, Historical trade settlement in Adrar Region, Mauritania.
Ouadane is a desert settlement perched on a plateau in the Adrar region, featuring stone buildings and ancient walls that trace across the southern landscape. The structures create a pattern that visitors can explore through ruins still visible today.
The settlement was founded in the 12th century and grew into a major trading point where caravans moved salt from nearby mines across Saharan routes. These trade connections made it a crossroads for people and goods flowing through the region.
The mosque here displays traditional construction with its distinctive arches, showing how locals built according to Saharan methods passed down through time. These stone structures reveal a building style shaped by centuries of desert living.
The site can be reached via established routes that connect to the nearby town and lead across the plateau. Local accommodations are available in the surrounding area to help you plan your visit.
The ruins display signs of medieval urban planning that reveal how residents understood organization in harsh terrain. These archaeological remains offer insight into how early trading centers in the Sahara were structured.
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