Unique Troglodyte Dwellings (Matmata)

Member Name: petehall

Product:	Matmata
Date:	24/03/02 (118 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A unique site in the world, quite fascinating

Disadvantages: A long trip

Its been a while now since I visited Matmata, but the unique cave dwellings made it a place that I will remember forever. Three hundred miles south of Sousse, where we were staying made it one hell of a long day trip (about 18 hours) but it was well worth the hassel. Its worth noting that this was a Christmas holiday, thankfully, but in summer I think the heat would have been unbearable. We called at the 3 rd largest colloseum (at El Djem if I remember right) then at a large town called Sfax, that had the most unfortunate smell of sewerage, and we couldn't wait to leave. On to Gabes on the coast for a meal break and finally to Matmata. We did call in at an oasis on the way back, and somewhere else for a late meal but Matmata was definitely the highlight of the day.

Each troglodyte dwelling consisted of a large hole dug into the crown of a hillock. The hole was about ten metres diameter and probably 6 or 7 metres deep. A tunnel was dug through the sid of the hill to the bottom of the hole, sloping gradually to form the entrance to the home. Around the hole caverns were scooped out of the wall to form rooms, there was even a staircase dug into the wall of some dwellings, leading to an upper level of rooms. The walls of the rooms were whitewashed and the whole place was kept neat and tidy. There was a room to keep the goats in, and one where they crushed the olives, absolutely amazing. Most of the dwellings were no longer occupied (the government had provided free pre-fabricated homes on the edge of the village, with free gas and electricity) but the owners maintained them carefully because showing tourists around their "home" was their only source of income. Hoards of youngsters met the coach, all coaxing small groups to come and visit their home free of charge. True to their word, there was no charge to get in, but I'd defy anyone to try getting back out through that tunnel without making a "voluntary contribution". One contribut
ion from a couple was not the best approach, they expected money from every individual. I'm sure what I gave them was only a fraction of what the experience was truly worth.

I believe they've made some sort of film there since, I do hope they didn't spoil the place for future visitors. There was a hotel there, but it was a most horrendous place that wasn't fit to use as a prison, maybe its better now. There are other villages in the area where different types of cave dwelling can be seen, but Matmata, as I understand it, was the only place in the world where people lived in this particular type of home.

Summary: