Travel Guide Matmata

Matmata is undoubtedly the most famous troglodytic village in Tunisia. In the heart of a surprising landscape of hills and valleys between Douz and Medenine, Matmata is planted in a stone desert at an altitude of 600 m. The two thousand Berber souls who make up its population continue to live there in troglodytic or semi-troglodytic houses. One can only be conquered by its raw beauty and its ingenious dwellings dug in the earth. The troglodytic habitat is organized around a hole of about ten meters in diameter, dug in the ground on generally six meters deep. The living quarters are distributed around this courtyard, which is accessed by a side tunnel. This arrangement was developed, several centuries ago, by the Berbers, for its isothermal virtues: the establishment in the basement protects from the heat in summer and from the cold in winter with a constant temperature ranging from 18 to 25 °C. Seen from the sky, this succession of craters, on an already uneven relief, creates a real landscape worthy of science fiction. Moreover, the most observant will recognize in Matmata the village of farmers of the beginning of Star Wars. Matmata seems frozen in time, as if it were asleep in the earth, lost in the mountains. The heart of this town beats to the rhythm of the sun and nature. The houses that blend into the landscape are of a breathtaking beauty and silent Coming from Tamerzet, a beautiful panorama stretches along the road with its superb stone houses. The region is distinguished by its morphological originality and its organization in a group of hamlets (Beni Aissa, Techine, Hadège). At 5 km from Matmata are the troglodytic houses of Tijma and, in particular, the tourist "house of Fatma". More spectacular and authentic are the houses of Hadège, located 3 km away. Another troglodytic village, almost abandoned, is that of Béni Aissa, reserved for curious adventurers. After 12 km of track towards the south, we find Téchine, charming village with also its troglodytic houses (still inhabited); one comes here for the very original furniture and shelves. Towards the west, if you have a 4 x 4, you can reach Médénine by Toujane, the landscape is also very beautiful During your visit to Matmata, don't miss Dar Taoufik, a typical Matmata dwelling, where you will be remarkably welcomed!