The M'zab Valley (Vallée du M'Zab) is a dry valley in the Algerian Sahara, about 600 km south of Algiers, containing a remarkable cluster of five fortified cities (ksour) built by Ibadi Muslims in the 10th and 11th centuries. The valley and its settlements — including Ghardaïa, the main town — are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for their exceptionally preserved medieval urban planning and architecture. The ksour are arranged around a mosque that functions as a social and spiritual hub, and the layout anticipates many principles of modern urban planning. The valley remains home to the Mozabite Berber community, which has maintained distinct traditions over a thousand years.
M'zab
Saharan valley of fortified Mozabite ksour, preserved for medieval urban planning and Ibadi traditions.