Ksar

Médenine and Tataouine governorates in southeastern Tunisia are populated with over 100 ksour (singular: ksar; alternately: qasr, gasr; Arabic: “castle” or “palace”), centuries-old Amazigh (Berber) fortified granaries consisting of a series of ghorfas (elongated, vaulted storage chambers made of stone, soil-based mortar, and a protective plaster coating) stacked multiple stories high surrounding a central courtyard of various shapes and sizes. Although typically associated with ksour, ghorfas are present elsewhere, particularly on Djerba island, functioning as standalone agricultural storage chambers. The vast majority of ksour in Tunisia are no longer used for storage. Many are in ruins. A few have been repurposed as hotels or tourist attractions.