Ksar Chenini, Ruins and listed monument in Tataouine Governorate, Tunisia

Ksar Chenini is a ruin site and listed monument in the Tataouine Governorate of Tunisia, made up of a cluster of old stone buildings set on a hilltop. The site is made of stacked ghorfas, which are traditional stone storage rooms built on two floors, arranged in tight groups around narrow passageways.

Ksar Chenini was built by Berber communities who needed a fortified place to protect their food and families over many generations. The site was gradually abandoned over time, and parts of it began to fall into ruin, though some sections still stand today.

The ghorfas in Ksar Chenini were storage rooms used by Berber communities to keep grain and food safe. The way these rooms are stacked on top of each other and connected by narrow passageways still shows how daily life was organized around shared resources.

The site sits on a hill, so the ground is uneven and sturdy shoes are a good idea before heading out to explore. Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon is better suited to the dry, hot climate of the region.

Ksar Chenini has been proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status, but has not yet officially received it, even though it is already a listed monument in Tunisia. Restoration work began in the 2000s, yet the condition of the buildings still varies widely across the site.

• Location: Tataouine Governorate
• Elevation above the sea: 100 m
• Address: W766+RQV, Chenini, Tunisia
• Phone: [phone]
• GPS coordinates: 32.91235,10.26235
• Latest update: July 13, 2026 13:49