Matmata: Underground City of Berbers in the Sahara Desert

The main population of this small town is Berbers. The tradition of building underground houses in this part of Tunisia has more than one thousand years. According to local legends, people were forced to settle under the earth to protect themselves from foreign invaders. Over time, the harsh dug-outs were transformed into comfortable houses, which could not be better suited for this area.

The locality, where the city of Berbers is located, although it is 30 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast, is a real desert. The scorching sun does not leave a chance for vegetation, and people constantly have to escape from the unbearable heat. And in the houses under the ground it is possible to solve this problem, therefore inhabitants of Matmata, which here about 1800 people, prefer such unusual dwellings.

Underground houses are created on the slopes of hills or arranged directly on level ground. For this, first a large round or rectangular pit is first dug, whose diameter can reach 10-13 meters. This site subsequently serves as a patio. Here sunlight gets in and you can if you want to go outside and sit at the entrance, admiring the neat flower garden of cacti. From this courtyard are subsequently digging out living rooms and utility rooms. According to local residents, it is very convenient. If the family has increased, it is always possible to dig a new room in the neighborhood or even an entire "apartment". Therefore, the housing issue in Matmata is solved quite simply.

In the city there are also ordinary houses, but the majority of the population of Matmata still lives underground, because it is convenient, quite cheap and if desired can bring a good income. Tourists willingly visit these places, get acquainted with local residents and buy souvenirs. The local hotel is also made in a traditional style and is underground. Well, after the city became a place of shooting the movie "Star Wars", the flow of tourists to these regions is growing every year.