Chinguity is the heart of Mauritania. Not for nothing was the region in West Africa known for centuries simply as Bilad Shinqit. Once built as a fortified trading post (Arab. Ksar), it is now the No. 1 attraction in the entire country. In the middle of the Adrar region, Chinguity is located south of its same-named plateau and 86 km east of Atar. It takes less than two hours to get from there to Chinguity, and another two hours to Ouadane - the second and last world heritage site in the Adrar region. Although four times more people lived in Chinguity during its heyday in the 13th century than today, the main sights have been preserved or restored. Of particular interest to visitors is a tour of the old town, which is separated from the more northerly modern city by an ouad. Here, Chinguity's old mosque is particularly worth seeing, its striking sandstone minaret being reproduced in miniature thousands of times in Mauritania. The visitable local museums and libraries house exhibits and writings from millennia of history. In Mauritania, it is said that Chinguity is the seventh holiest city in Islam. In any case, it is arguably the most culturally important city in the entire country, as well as its national symbol.
Chinguetti is a national symbol. The minaret of the old mosque, crowned with five ostrich eggs, is Mauritania's symbol and is found in miniature throughout the country, much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The remains of the former fortified trading post (Arabic: ksar, pl. ksour) of Chinguetti, along with those of Ouadane, Oualata and Tichitt, were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1996. Many visitors to Mauritania cannot decide whether they find Chinguity, Ouadane or Oualata the most impressive: Mauritanians, however, have made their choice.
The region of modern Chinguity has been inhabited for thousands of years. The city itself was founded twice, first probably in the late 8th century as a trading post of the Sanhājah Berbers. As an important part of the Trans-Sahara trade, the city flourished until the 11th century. Mostly salt, dates and gold were traded here. The city also made a name for itself as an important caravanserai. Up to 30000 camels are said to have been kept here. The name Chinguetti, by the way, can probably be traced back to the language of the Soninké and means well of the horses. It would therefore be much older than the city itself. From the 11th century on, Chinguity lost its influence and could only regain its honorable place as a new foundation two centuries later. In its heyday, more than 20000 inhabitants lived in the city (today: 4500).
