Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, Group of ksour in Adrar, Tagant and Hodh Ech Chargui regions, Mauritania.

These four ancient settlements consist of stone and adobe structures built in remote desert locations along historic trade routes. The buildings are tightly clustered together and vary in size depending on their original function as living quarters, storage facilities, or prayer rooms.

The four towns were founded around the 11th century as stopping places for the caravans of the Trans-Saharan trade crossing the Sahara. Ouadane and Chinguetti lie in the Adrar Region, Tichitt in Tagant and Oualata in Hodh Ech Chargui. Chinguetti also grew into a centre of Islamic culture for West Africa, called locally the seventh holy city of Islam. The UNESCO World Heritage List inscribed them in 1996.

The buildings display traditional construction methods with geometric patterns visible on walls and courtyards. They functioned as places for religious study and the safekeeping of written documents.

These locations lie in remote desert areas and require good preparation, an experienced guide, and suitable vehicles for extreme heat and sand conditions. Visitors should bring plenty of water, sun protection, and sturdy clothing while checking current safety conditions in the region.

These sites house thousands of medieval Islamic manuscripts in private libraries documenting astronomical, mathematical, and religious knowledge. Some of these precious documents have suffered damage, putting their importance for future generations at risk.