Ksar Ezzahra

Ksar Ezzahra Tataouine, in southern Tunisia, remains little visited. Yet it is unique for its location in the heart of the village, built around two courtyards.

The inhabitants have kept the habit of making it a place of life. For example, you will undoubtedly see the elders playing Kharbga (a game resembling checkers with small pebbles) while the children return from school.

A ghorfa is a semi-cylindrical room with a door opening onto the courtyard. The depth of the room ranges between 4 and 5 meters, while the height and width can reach 2 meters. Moreover, two neighboring ghorfas can communicate.

Inscriptions and decorations often adorn the ceiling of the ghorfa. Two perforated holes in the interior and exterior walls ensure the room’s ventilation.

Ksar Ezzahra

The ksar divides into two parts: an old square section (fifty meters in diameter) and a more recent rectangular one (70 meters by 90), called Ksar Jedid. Furthermore, a covered entrance (skifa) connects the two parts.

The number of ghorfas varies according to the sources: 270, 415 or 326. The whole rises essentially on three to four floors.

The ksar has undergone restoration. For instance, the old part with its doorless ghorfas is no longer used. However, some ghorfas of the newer part still serve for storage and small businesses.

A rudimentary staircase, made up of olive wood bars, gives access to the upper ghorfas.