Regional/Cultural Day
Ruz el Mzab
The pentapolis of five ksour in the Mzab Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most extraordinary urban landscapes in Africa. The five fortified cities, Ghardaia, Beni Isguen, Melika, Bou Noura, and El Atteuf, were founded by the Mozabite Ibadi community in the 11th century and have maintained their distinct identity ever since. The architecture is functional, beautiful, and democratic: every house has the same width, every neighborhood has its own mosque, and the palm groves are communally owned. The Mozabites are Ibadi Muslims, a minority within a minority, and their independence is preserved in the very layout of their cities. The Mzab is a living lesson in urban planning, religious tolerance, and community resilience.
