Tamerza

A mountain oasis in Tozeur governorate, about 70 km from Tozeur, at the foot of a canyon where springs and a cascade water the palm grove. The old village was abandoned after the floods of 1969, when the river ran for 22 days, and its empty houses can still be explored. The Romans called the place Ad Turres, a frontier post. Mides is about 6 km away.

History

A Roman frontier defence post and later a Byzantine bishopric, before the 1969 floods emptied the old village. Only the marabout is still used.

Customs

Wear sturdy shoes: paths in the old village are loose and uneven. Easy to combine with Chebika and Mides in a day.

Food

Look for dates and fresh oasis fruit sold by the road.

Best time

October to April. Summers are very hot.

Some scenes of The English Patient were shot in this region.