Aerial view of Beni Isguen, the most traditional village of Ghardaia, an oasis in the M'Zab region of the Algerian Sahara that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The older buildings in the anciAerial view of Beni Isguen, the most conservative and exquisitely preserved of the ancient hill towns in Ghardaia, a World Heritage Site. Laid out like a mosaic, the residents carefully maintain their antique homes, which often feature a walled roof-top area for laundry and outdoor sleeping on hot Saharan nights. These roof-top sanctuaries are often painted in turquoise and other pastel colors.ent city were constructed using only local stone, plaster, and wood from palm trees.
