Ksar Ouled Soltane
Ksar Wled Soltane, situated about 20 km south of Tataouine in southern Tunisia, stands as one of the best-preserved fortified granaries in the region. The Berbers constructed it in the 15th century using adobe (raw earth). The ksar is organized into two courtyards, each featuring vaulted attics, known as ghorfas, which served as essential food storage.
In the past, villagers often fortified their granaries to prevent looters from raiding their supplies. Positioned on a hill, Ksar Wled Soltane, like other Berber granaries across North Africa, provided a strategic defense against such attacks.
Originally built with hundreds of ghorfas, the ksar expanded in the 19th century. A second courtyard was added, increasing the total number of ghorfas to 400, significantly enhancing its storage capacity.
A palm wood passageway connects the two courtyards, while the ghorfas, standing four stories high, are accessible by a steep external staircase. Climbing these stairs leads to each attic, one by one. Each ghorfa belongs to and is maintained by a specific family, preserving its unique heritage.