Tamerza, oasis of the mountains

Red Canyons, blue sky, abandoned villages, oasis emedded into rocky gorges...As it comes closer to Algeria, the Tunisian desert has unexpected shapes. From Tozeur to Gafsa and Sbeïtla the mountains offer landscapes from another planet and unusual ways, such as the trip on the red lizard, an old train from the"belle époque". The oasis of the mountains have always been a boarder area. The Romans built posts to protect the Saharian limits. It is also the place where General Rommel, the"desert fox", had to withdraw as he was surrounded by the Allied forces.

Tamerza is probably the most beautiful oasis in the mountain. It was called Ad Turres by the Romans. It was destroyed and abandoned in 1969 after a record flood lasting 22 days. The old village is a cluster of ruins that matches perfectly with the bare mountains around. At the bottom of the ruins, a very dry oued (river) adds to the overall picture. The only building that is still of use in Tamerza is the marabout (small mosque). Its white dome rises among destroyed walls.

A luxuriant oasis freshens the usually scorching hot valley. You can even take a shower in the waterfalls downstream from the new village. This small fountain is known as the Great Waterfall. Indeed, a source in the desert is necessarily great!

Another great place is the Tamerza Palace. Built in harmony with the surroundings, this hotel has a terrace with the best view on Tamerza ruins!