Ancient Vaults

The interior of Kasr al-Haj, a fortified granary and storehouse in Libya, is large enough to accomodate a great many people - pilgrims on their way to Mekka, or the semi-nomadic Berber meeting and trading amongst themselves. The Kasr was built in the 12th century, and has served until the 1960s. The storerooms originally numbered as many as the chapters (suras) of the Holy Quran: 114, until inheritance disputes caused some to be divided, so that there are now 119. The balconies, made from palmwood, are now largely gone along with the doors that once secured these vaults, but some of the storage jars remain.

For Kasr al-Haj, see also


See also Kasr Nalut, which replaces the courtyard with narrow lanes,



and Kasr Kabaw, with a tomb in its centre