Hotel Marhala

The history of Hotel Marhala – simply explained
A long time ago, when there were no hotels, people who travelled far – such as traders – needed a safe place to sleep, rest and park their animals and goods. In North Africa, such buildings were called ‘fondouks’.

The Hotel Marhala on Djerba used to be such an old fondouk.

It was a kind of inn for traders.
The traders came from far away, by boat or camel, to sell things like spices, fabrics or gold.
They slept in the fondouk at night.
Downstairs were their camels or carts, upstairs were small rooms for sleeping.
In the centre was a large courtyard around which the rooms were built.
Today, trade no longer takes place there.
But the building still looks like it used to!

Now it’s called Hotel Marhala, and tourists stay there – just like travellers did
just like the travellers did 300 years ago,
only with more comfort and without camels! 🐪🙂