Ksar Draa means “Fortified Village” and is located in Timimoun, Algeria, and its history goes back to ancient times that have been lost over the centuries.
Ksar Draa’s structure is built in adobe, an ancient construction technique using clay bricks and straw, and its walls are adorned with intricate geometric patterns that reveal surprising craftsmanship skills.
Its strategic location, in the middle of the dunes of the Sahara desert, suggests that it was a point of defense and shelter for the communities that lived there.
The few historical records indicate that the Jews of Timimoun occupied Ksar Draa between the 15th and 18th centuries, but its construction is much older and dates back to the 1st century.
Some researchers speculate that the structure served as a trading outpost for caravans crossing the desert.
The Ksar Draa is surrounded by a double wall about two meters high (6.6 ft). The external wall was built with stones and clay and the internal wall was built only with clay.
There is only one entrance on the north side and several rooms spread over the three floors of the building. There are no visible stairs to access the various floors and the rooms do not communicate or have windows.
The Ksar Draa seems to defy the passage of time, resisting the forces of nature and the extreme climate of the Sahara desert, where it remains an archaeological enigma, awaiting new research that could reveal the secrets of its past.
Meanwhile, its beauty and mystery continue to attract the attention of tourists and history enthusiasts seeking to uncover the secrets behind this ancient ruin in the heart of the Algerian desert.
