Chinguetti

The medieval town features stone and mud-brick buildings with narrow streets surrounded by shifting sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

Founded in the 12th century, Chinguetti developed into a major center for trans-Saharan trade routes and Islamic scholarship until the 16th century.

The town contains several manuscript libraries preserving thousands of ancient texts covering subjects from astronomy and mathematics to religious studies.

Visitors need to arrange transportation and accommodation in advance due to the remote location and limited facilities in this Saharan environment.

The stone minaret of the Friday Mosque stands as the only square minaret in the region, constructed without a single piece of wood.

Location: Chinguetti Department

Elevation above the sea: 453 m

GPS coordinates: 20.45512,-12.36162

Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:45