RE: A Day in Old Matmata (Exploring Troglodyte Homes)
Steem Atlas — Africa Takes Over the Map — #Week02 | Pin Review
Post: A Day in Old Matmata (Exploring Troglodyte Homes) by @marwene
Status & Checks
| Criterion | Status / Notes |
|---|---|
| Pin location | The !steematlas block with 33.54472111, 9.96758222 labels “Matmata” and resolves over the historic troglodyte zone above the palm groves, which matches the Plus Code GXV9+R36 and gives a precise, reproducible geolocation for first-time visitors approaching from Gabès or Matmata-al-Qadimal. |
| Added to Steem Atlas | Atlas code is present and correctly formatted so the post renders on the map and is straightforward to verify. |
| Beneficiary @steem-atlas | Not mentioned in this entry. Consider adding 5–10% to @steem-atlas in future posts to support maintenance and weekly processing. |
| Required tags | Ensure #atlasafrica #steem-atlas #tunisia are included and add #gabes #matmata #troglodyte for stronger discovery. |
| Word count | Clearly ≥ 400 words with sections covering landscape views, house layout and interiors, daily life, Star Wars site context, materials and climate design, and practical tips. |
| Original photos | A rich set shows hilltop views, courtyards, passages, guest and family rooms, men’s and women’s bedrooms, kitchen with jars and mill, personal pause, Hotel Sidi Driss frames, architectural details, and surrounding ridges. Add brief captions under each image for skimmability and one wide approach shot that shows the exact access lane or lookout used. |
| Useful info | Location, Plus Code, Google Maps, driving and louage options, open access, best time window, safety and etiquette, and photographer tips are all present and useful. You could add a guide fee example and a parking hint near the village entry to make the logistics even clearer. |
| Witness proxy → @steem-atlas | Not mentioned. Optionally set a witness proxy to @steem-atlas to support reliability and roadmap features. |
Quick improvements (fast wins)
Keep the !steematlas block unchanged at the very end to preserve coordinates, add a short 10–20 s panning video in the main courtyard or from the ridge to provide motion-context verification, place consistent one-line captions beneath photos for quick orientation such as hilltop pits and palms main courtyard guest room family room women’s room men’s room kitchen and jars Hotel Sidi Driss arches ridge panorama, and note explicitly that the Star Wars filming site is Hotel Sidi Driss within Matmata so readers do not confuse it with other troglodyte homes, which you can feature with its own pin in a future post.
Plug-and-play “Practical Info” (copy/adapt)
Access: Matmata troglodyte homes — Plus Code GXV9+R36, coordinates 33.54472111, 9.96758222, reachable by car from Gabès in about 45–60 minutes on mountain roads with informal parking pockets near the village entry.
Best time: Morning to mid-afternoon for cooler air and even light, while late afternoon gives warmer tones on stone.
Safety & etiquette: Wear sturdy shoes for uneven steps and floors, ask permission before entering homes or photographing people, avoid climbing on fragile walls and roofs, carry water and sun protection for the walks between pits.
Local tip: If a host offers tea, accept politely and ask about the grain mill, jars, and kilim patterns to learn how the house works as a living system rather than a museum.
Verification notes
The coordinates and GXV9+R36 Plus Code align with the core troglodyte area at Matmata, and the image sequence courtyard geometry, carved passages, differentiated living rooms and bedrooms, kitchen storage and mill, personal interior moment, Hotel Sidi Driss frames, and ridge-line landscapes provides strong place cues that corroborate the pin and deliver both cultural context and practical guidance in a single skimmable entry.
Best regards,
@kouba01 — Steem Atlas Ambassador (Africa)
