The village of Tichitt, is a partially abandoned village at the foot of the Tagant Plateau, in south-central Mauritania, known for its vernacular architecture. The Neolithic site of Dhar Tichitt in this area was inhabited by agro-pastoral communities around 2000 BC. and abandoned around 500 BC. The modern city was founded in the 12th century and reached its peak in the 17th century as a center for date cultivation.

 

Tichitt came under the influence of the Almoravid dynasty, which established Islam as the dominant religion of the region and built several mosques, madrasas, and libraries. During the 13th century the Mali Empire took control of Tichitt and brought new wealth and prosperity, making the city one of the most important trading centers in the region. In the 15th century, Tichitt was conquered by the Moroccan Saadi dynasty, who improved trade relations and constructed numerous new buildings and monuments, such as the Great Mosque, which still stands today as a testament to their architectural prowess.

 

The beautiful residential houses, built in stone using traditional construction techniques, which earned the city UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site, date back to this period. Even today, with around 5,000 inhabitants, the local palm oases are among the largest in the country despite increasing desertification. Furthermore, it is the salt extracted from the sand, a residue of an ancient lake that dried up long ago, that guarantees the survival of the local population. In winter you will also have the chance to encounter one of the camel caravans carrying salt to remote areas. Tichitt has an airport with unpaved runways but no scheduled flights.