Welcome on the website of the Association of Sauvegarde of Matmata (Tunisia) / Bienvenue sur le site web de l`Association de Sauvegarde de Matmata (Tunisie) / مرحباً بكم على الموقع الإلكتروني لجمعية Sauvegarde في مطماطة (تونس)
Matmata is considered as one of the best examples of troglodyte architecture in the world [1]
Tunisia is a Mediterranean coastal and desert country that has been a favorite movie set location, including at least three of the extremely popular Star Wars films. The popularity of Tunisia, besides perhaps the friendliness of its people, may also be attributed to its unique topography and desert architecture; especially subterranean dwellings (called: troglodytes) located in the desert oasis of Matmata. The small village itself, besides being a unique desert tourist hideaway, has become famous all over the world as Star Wars’ s Luke Skywalker’s desert homestead in at least two of the series films.
The cave-like desert dwellings of Matmata, go back hundreds of years and are a real indication of how people can live in harmony with the harsh desert conditions that are often scorching hot during the daytime and bone-chilling cold at night. Instead of building the houses, the living quarters were dug vertically into the ground. The structures were built to shelter the Berbers from the harsh environment, but they also retained a strategic advantage. This type of architecture can also be found in Libya and Morocco, but no place has so many examples as Matmata.
[1] https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Matmata,_Tunisia
The short History of the Association of Sauvegarde of the old medina of Matmata (Tunisia)
The activities of the Association are characterized by the complexity of the life of Berber families in this area: the unique architectural style (houses "troglodyte"), by the geography of the environment (height, terrain and hills, rocks) mountains it is also characterized by the heritage, customs and traditions of history, the capacity of the population of these territories in adaptation to climate and natural factors.
These features have contributed to national outreach and an international level offering a unique destination for tourists from all around the world.
These features have contributed to national outreach and an international level offering a unique destination for tourists from all around the world.
In order to preserve this cultural and urban inventory, Matmata organizes its annual festival after tourist cultural change at an international event since early 2003 under the title "International Matmata Festival" contributed to the revitalization of the region and attracting national tourism and abroad. The festival organization is back after the Revolution, and after a hiatus of two years (2011 and 2012), with great ambitions and new perceptions.
We hope to contribute to the development of the cultural landscape and tourism Matmata through various activities by the annual or bi-annual festivals. The festivals had continued by the form of First Edition of the "Costumes for the Cinema" (Athwab Assinima) Festival – Matmata ( 26-29 October 2017).
Main objectives of the Association:
1.Summing the cultural inventory and revive the folklore of the Matmata region
2.Revitalization of the region and promotion of internal and external tourism
3.Offering an opportunity for people to showcase their talents and at the same time heritage traditions
4.Combining traditions with contemporary styles and keeping abreast in every performance
5.The expression of the reality of life in the region and the dreams of the future
6.Opening on human heritage in Tunisia and abroad
We hope to contribute to the development of the cultural landscape and tourism Matmata through various activities by the annual or bi-annual festivals. The festivals had continued by the form of First Edition of the "Costumes for the Cinema" (Athwab Assinima) Festival – Matmata ( 26-29 October 2017).
Main objectives of the Association:
1.Summing the cultural inventory and revive the folklore of the Matmata region
2.Revitalization of the region and promotion of internal and external tourism
3.Offering an opportunity for people to showcase their talents and at the same time heritage traditions
4.Combining traditions with contemporary styles and keeping abreast in every performance
5.The expression of the reality of life in the region and the dreams of the future
6.Opening on human heritage in Tunisia and abroad