- TURY.CLUB
- Tourist Objects
- Algeria
- Msila (province)
- Cala Beni Hammad
Cala Beni Hammad - the ruins of the ancient capital of the state of Hammadida, which existed in 1014 - 1152 in the north-east of modern Algeria. The ruins are located near the city of Maadid, 36 kilometers northeast of the city of Msilah. The construction of the city was started in 1007 by decree of Hammad ibn Buluggin, the founder of the dynasty and the first ruler of the Berber state of Hammadida. The area of the city is 150 hectares, it was built in a mountainous area, at an altitude of 1418 meters above sea level. The city was surrounded by a 7-kilometer fortress wall, behind which there were residential quarters, palaces, mosques, minarets. The welfare of the capital grew rapidly - through Kala Beni Hammad trade routes passed from Morocco, Egypt, Iraq and Syria to the cities of North Africa, located on the Mediterranean coast, crafts, science and art developed rapidly. The rulers of Hammadida erected magnificent palaces in the city (the palace of the emir Dar el-Bahr, the palaces of Manar, the Two Princesses, the Star, the Lighthouse of the Light and others), which struck with splendor and wealth - fountains, pavilions, huge pools, marble floors, decorative ornaments, magnificent the gardens. The decoration of the buildings was made of white and green glazed bricks, the walls were decorated with frescoes and marble panels. The rich and prosperous city was abandoned by residents in 1090 due to the threat of attack by the nomadic tribes of Banu Hilal, and in 1152, Kala Beni Hammad was destroyed by the troops of Abd al-Mumin, the ruler of the state of Almohad. The ruins of the city were discovered in the XIX century, excavations were carried out by French archaeologists in 1897, 1908 and 1948. In 1964, Algerian scholars joined the study of the ruins. In addition to the remains of the city wall, palaces and mosques, jewelry, coins and ceramics were discovered. Priceless artifacts are stored in museums in Algeria, Setif and Constantine. In 1980, the ruins of Cala Beni Hammad were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
