Gutter Palaces.. a world heritage landmark in Algeria

Arabiaweather.com- Ismail Gasmi- M'zab Valley A charming area in the north of the Algerian desert, it is one of the most famous destinations that can be visited in Algeria , and it is worth a visit because it is one of the World Heritage sites classified by UNESCO, with a group of fortified and wonderful cities with its features to the extent of surrealism .

Mesab consists of five separate cities (pentapolis) established throughout the ages and today forms the basis of the urban centers of the large city of Ghardaia, which is inhabited by more than 350 thousand people, and outside the complex of five cities in the valley, there are two of the Mozabite cities that lie far to the north, namely Qasr Al-Qarara and Brian Palace.

These small towns or neighborhoods are known as palaces, and they are represented in each of Qasr Bani Yazqin, Bannoura, Al Atef, Taghradayt is the largest city in the valley with a population of more than 100,000, in addition to Malika Palace, which is the smallest of the residential centers but offers the best views of all From Ghardaia and Banoura.

Perhaps the Mozabite architecture in each of the fortified cities is the most important thing that can be seen in the region.

Qasr Bani Yazqin is a large neighborhood that you will get lost in if you try to enter alone, and it is relatively easy to pick up a local guide at the entrance where the gate and the tourist office are located. He will give you the necessary explanations and introduce you to the history, architecture and materials used in construction while walking you through the alleys.

You must visit the Ghardaia market, which is famous for its Berber carpet industry or the Mozabian carpet as it is called in Ghardaia, and be aware that if you go to any of the carpet stores, you will find the owner of the shop inviting you to drink tea, and therefore you should take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the meaning of the symbols Berber embroidered on the carpet.