Chinguetti

Overview

Chinguetti is considered (by Mauritanians) as the seventh holy city of Islam. Although it is uncertain how much truth this claim holds, it is more original than the standard claim of being fourth (after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem) and Chinguetti did have quite a reputation as a center of learning in islamic times. Form these heydays you can stil see the remains: the old city (threatened by sand dunes), manuscripts of treatises on every subject, by great Mauritanian scholars, and the 16-th century mosque.

Another option here is to explore the nearby desert. Rent a camel at on of the hotels or at Adrad Voyages.

History