Chinguetti, the 8th century African city in Mauritania to visit before disappearing

Mauritania is a country in West Africa with a relatively small population of about 4.5 million inhabitants. Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, it is also popular for having some of the oldest kingdoms of West Africa, home to one of the oldest indigenous groups in Africa. , Berber.

The country takes its name from the ancient African kingdom of the 3rd century, Mauretania, which has existed for nearly 6 centuries. A rich history is what makes it one of the main tourist destinations of Africa.

With its many sights, tourists are only spoiled for choice when they visit Mauritania, but one of its unmissable places is Chinguetti, a medieval Berber town threatened with extinction. to be swallowed up by the desert.

Founded in 777, the city had one goal: a shopping center. In the 11th century, Chinguetti had developed to become a prosperous city, home to several wealthy traders and elites, and the largest trading center of sub-Saharan Africa with several trans-Saharan slave routes.

The ancient city offers unique architecture with beautiful mosques and libraries that testify to the development of written literature and education in Africa long before the arrival of Europeans.

Its beautiful mosques built of brick and sand were once the main gathering place for pilgrims and quickly became a holy city.

Chinguetti receives thousands of visitors each year from all backgrounds and religious backgrounds. To this day, it remains a very important city in the history of Islam and West Africa. It is commonly called the 7th holy city of Islam and groups of pilgrims go there again to pray.

However, some parts of the city are now buried under dunes, giving tourists a strange and magical feeling. It is unclear exactly when the city was abandoned, but in 1980 it was closed to preserve it during a conflict.

In addition to its libraries, mosques and beautiful houses that reflect the sophistication and richness of its ancient inhibitors, the city of Chinguetti is also known for its school and its universities.

Located on the plateau of Adrar, east of Atar, it was named in 2000 UNESCO World Heritage Site.