Ksar Ouled Soltane
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Multi-level ghorfas, as seen at Ksar Ouled Soltane in southern Tunisia. Photographed by Andy Carvin. |
Ksar Ouled Soltane is a fortified granary, or
ksar, located in the
Tataouine district in southern
Tunisia. The ksar is spread out over two courtyards, each of which has a perimeter of multi-story vaulted granary cellars, or
ghorfas. Like other
ksour (plural of
ksar) created by North African
Berber communities, Ksar Ouled Soltane is located on a hilltop, to help protect it from raiding parties in previous centuries.
Ksar Ouled Soltane is now a tourist destination, with visitors coming to see its well-preserved granary vaults. It was also featured in the film
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in some of the scenes used to represented the slave quarters of
Mos Espa, where the character
Anakin Skywalker lived as a boy.
source: Lonely Planet Tunisia, 3rd edition*
Tunisia Trek: Exploring Ksar Ouled Soltane - video blog by
Andy Carvin*
The Real Star Wars? - Associated Press article, videos and photo gallery featuring Ksar Ouled Soltane
*
Quicktime VR image of
Ksar Ouled Soltane
