Qalaa of Beni Hammad

The Qal'a of the Beni Hammad was founded in 1007 as the capital of the Hammadid dynasty on a bare slope at around a thousand metres in the Hodna mountains, grew into a city of palaces, mosques and markets, was left when the court moved to Bejaia later in the century, and was destroyed in 1152. Because nothing was built on top of it afterwards, the plan survives: the great mosque with its square minaret standing about twenty-five metres, decorated with niches and interlacing, and the foundations and lower walls of several palaces including one with a large basin, laid out across the hillside with the mountains around. It was inscribed as World Heritage in 1980.

What to look for

• The mosque minaret - a decorated square tower some twenty-five metres high.
• Palace foundations across the slope - the plan of the Hammadid court.
• The palace basin - the large water feature in one of the residences.
• A capital never rebuilt over - the site preserved by abandonment.

When to go

October to May; the site is exposed and very hot in summer. Half a day including the drive. Morning light suits the minaret. A car is necessary.

What to expect

It is remote and getting there needs a vehicle and some asking. There is little interpretation and few facilities. Excavated walls stand low apart from the minaret, so it takes imagination. Weather on the exposed slope can be harsh.

Nearby

M'Sila is south-west; the Hodna plain lies below.