Fort Beni Hammad also known as Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad is named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient fort during its glorious days served as the first capital of Hammadid dynasty. The vast collections of preserved ruins are nestled at an altitude of 1,418 meters near the city of Maadid. It was founded at the beginning of 11th century and abandoned in 1090 because of the threat of a Hilalian invasion.
Fort Beni Hammad is one of the most interesting and glorious monumental complexes that depicts the Islamic civilization. As-of-now the fort comprises of 7 km long partly dismantled fortified walls, series of palaces and numerous monumental remnants like the grand Mosque with its towering minaret. The primeval ruins of the fort bear testimony to the ancient architecture and the lavish culture for which North Africa was renowned throughout the world.