Ghardaïa , Algeria

Algeria-1, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Received Postcards.

Ghardaïa is the capital city of Ghardaïa Province, Algeria. It is the traditional heart of the M'zab valley, home of the Ibadi Muslim sect in Algeria, and has preserved its original medieval architecture remarkably well.
A traditional human habitat, created in the 10th century by the Ibadites around their five ksour (fortified cities), has been preserved intact in the M’Zab valley. Simple, functional and perfectly adapted to the environment, the architecture of M’Zab was designed for community living, while respecting the structure of the family. It is a source of inspiration for today’s urban planners.