Ksar Ouled Soltane

Ksar Ouled Soltane stands on a hilltop about 20 km south of Tataouine. A ksar is a fortified communal granary, where Berber and Arab families of the region stored grain, olive oil and other goods in vaulted cells called ghorfas. Here the ghorfas rise up to four storeys around two courtyards; the older one is thought to date from the 15th century and the second from the 19th. Outside stairways and projecting beams served to haul goods to the upper cells. Carefully restored, it is the most complete example of its kind and is still used for local festivals.