Matmata is an area on the southern spurs of the Atlas Mountains. The mystery of Matmata is in the Berbers who inhabit it. They are native North Africans. This nation survived from Islamic conquerors. That is why native North Africans came to this area and accommodated in the mountain slopes digging their homes in the clay soil. Nowadays, you may not only see these caves but stay in them for a night or more. there are several underground hotels in Matmata, so you can plan your accommodation with a Tripety travel app there.
You can go sightseeing in a rented car. Roads in Matmata are laid on mountain slopes, very winding, often with a steep slope. Be extremely careful while driving.
It is very hot here in summer. Do not forget to include taking care of appropriate clothing and headwear to the trip list in the Tripety travel app. there are heavy rains in October – November.
The main sight in Matmata is the Berber burrow dwellings. You may see a lot of caves. Their entrance is painted white. You may notice some pictures of fish and palms on the doorframes. They are protective symbols of Berbers.
When you enter the “house” you may see an open-air courtyard. Following the courtyard, you may see bedrooms, living rooms, nurseries, and storage rooms that have been dug. You will have the opportunity to touch everything and view everything you want. You will also have a chance to grind the grain with hand millstones together with Berber-grandmother.
Plan your trip with the Tripety Travel app!
Berber Caves – a city of caves, large round holes in the ground along the mountains. Caves have been dug in these holes where Berbers live. Of course, nowadays only representatives of the older generations of Berbers live in the caves, and the Berber language is not popular now, only 1% of the population uses it. Such structures are not a whim, but a way to survive the nearby harsh desert.
There are one- and two-story caves. Each cave has a couple or three rooms that perform the same functions as rooms in an average apartment. There is also livestock, which goes out to eat through an inconspicuous secret tunnel. These are “the exotic mansions”.
The dwelling of the troglodytes. The dwellings of the Berber tribe are “troglodytes” or they are also called cavemen because they live in caves to this day. Hiding from the conquerors, Berbers were forced to move to the desert to the south of the country, in order to save their lives. Berbers built their homes in the mountains. They also arranged their houses underground. The troglodyte caves are craters with a diameter of 10 meters and approximately the same depth. Such designs perfectly protect them from the heat in summer and from the cold in winter. There are about 700 craters in the region, connected by passages.
