Chinguetti

Chinguetti, Mauritania: Ancient Desert Jewel

A 13th-century caravan city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chinguetti is the spiritual heart of Mauritania. Founded on trans-Saharan trade routes, it grew into a renowned center of Islamic scholarship, earning its title as the “Seventh Holy City of Islam.”

Its deep history is visible today in its:

• Ancient Libraries: Family-owned collections safeguarding centuries-old manuscripts on science, law, and theology.

• Iconic Architecture: Its stone houses and distinctive minaret, partially swallowed by dunes, symbolize Saharan resilience.

Chinguetti remains a living archive of Saharan culture and the premier gateway for desert exploration.