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Ksar Hadada, Tunisia

The old quarters of Ksar Hadada are good examples of how tourism can save valuable parts of the past. The ksar is walled, with the entrance from the modern village of Ksar Hadada, and right after you enter you' in the hotel courtyard. The hotel is relatively big, and fills a good part of the entire ksar.
If you continue straight in from the gate, you will come to the unused parts of the ksar after some 20 metres. The difference from the hotel is dramatic. The structures have uncovered and unpainted facades, and large parts of this quarter is falling in.
Ksar Hadada was used as the location for the Star Wars movie of 1999, where it had the name Mos Espa, a town on the planet Tatooine. Since 1998 the hotel has been closed for restoration. Locals told me that it would reopen in summer 2001, but as far as I could judge, it might well happen that the owners of Hotel Ksar Hadada will overstep that date.

Other angles

All of this is part of the hotel, which does cover an area of about 80 times 20 metres. In this area, there must be more than 100 ghurfas in use (that is, when the hotel reopens).

Inside the ghurfas

The interior is by all means modest, even if this is from the temporarily closed hotel. Yet, it does offer quite a bit of architectural beauty.

Crumbling quarters

Right after the zone of the hotel, you find out how it would all have been if not for recent decorations. Here the plaster as well as the paint has disappeared over several years. Yet, parts of it, is in quite good shape. This is one of the better parts.

Practicalities

Hotels and Alternatives

There is only one hotel in town. This was closed for renovations in August 2000, but it was planned to reopen in 2001. This could be delayed, so don' come looking for a hotel room in Ksar Hadada as your last option.
If the hotel is open, you can enjoy great architecture in a real ksar, but do not expect much of luxury.

Restaurants and Alternatives

There is a restaurant in the hotel if it is open. If not, try the tacky café just outside the ksar-hotel.

Nightlife

Once again: if the hotel is open, and there are enough guests, the evenings could be pleasant here.

Change Money

Nothing. Do this in Tataouine.

Transport

There is a 4 daily bus service between Ghoumrassen and Tataouine. Apart from that you have rely on transportation you can fix yourself.