Ksar Ezzahra is a treasure that is just opened up to travellers, since the road coming out here from Tataouine
was paved just a few years ago. Still Ksar Ezzahra is holding up its old institutions, even if there is an alarmingly dominance of old people that live in the traditional quarters.
Ghurfas
Ksar Ezzahra is made up of two squares surrounded by ghurfas of up to five floors. The first square is the least impressive, yet it is more in use, and has a quality of being a town square. The inner quarters is more like the typical grain storehouses, and not in use as dwellings.
Square
Ksar Ezzahra shows good promises of remaining as it is now for a good number of years more. The interest of both tourists and Tunisian authorities will give the locals pride in their village, and yet there is a strong consciousness that tourism also can be destructive: A couple of years ago, when the new road opened, the locals voted against establishing a hotel and a café for tourists. They wanted their village to remain as it is. Let’s hope they become successful in their endeavours.
