Ksar

Southern Tunisia


Medenine’s only attraction is its well-preserved ksar (fortified granary). It can seem as if every square inch of every ghorfa (long, barrel-vaulted grain store) surrounding the courtyard is covered with souvenirs, ceramics and carpets on sale for visiting tourists, but it makes for lively photos. It was built by the Ouergherma federation in the 17th century following the decision to leave the mountain stronghold of Ghomrassen and assert authority over the plains.

The ksar is another of those used for Star Wars location shoots in The Phantom Menace. Head here if you want to see where Qui-Gon tested Anakin Skywalker for the dreaded midi-chlorians.


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Nearby Southern Tunisia attractions

1. Ksar Joumaa

15.01 MILES

Joumaa is as good a ksar (Berber granary) as you could hope to find, with a splendid remote setting. It's almost a street of ghorfas (grain stores) at the…

2. Gightis

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The Roman port of Gightis, 20km south of El Jorf on the back road from Medenine, is one of Tunisia’s least-visited ancient sites. Established by the…

3. Ksar Haddada

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Ksar Haddada draws a steady stream of visitors who marvel at its maze of small alleyways and courtyards. It became a place of pilgrimage for Star Wars…

4. Ksar Hallouf

21.66 MILES

This 13th-century ksar (fortified granary) overlooking a picturesque valley 14km northwest of Beni Kheddache has a series of sympathetically restored…

5. Ksar Mgabla

29.28 MILES

This small ksar (traditional fortified granary) is a good place to start your exploration of the ksour, although much of the 15th-century facade is no…

6. Musée Memoire de la Terre

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The parched and barren landscape around Tataouine can seem ancient, and it doesn't take a lot of imagination to picture dinosaurs wandering the area. This…

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