Algeria - Foggaras oases and ksour of Grand Erg Occidental

In the spatial complex formed by the Grand Erg Occidental and the Saoura Valley, the stratification in time of the anthropic action has given rise to an original model of oasis implantation where the natural setting and the interventions due to the man contribute to the formation of the ecosystem. Wadi Saoura was defined as a "unique event throughout the African Sahara" and compared, in terms of geographical importance and impact on civilization, in the Nile of Egypt. The Saoura dug its valley in the course of the fourth quarter by encircling the lands of the tertiary continent of the southern atlastic piedmont. The narrow and well-designed valley is inserted between the chain of Ouargla and the continental tertiary. It was a great trans-Saharan caravan route that joined Gao on Malian territory after crossing Tanezrouft. It presents one of the most striking landscapes on either side of the Wadi Saoura, here juxtapose the reddish escarpments of the Hamada of Guir in the west and the dunes of the great western erg in the east. Between the two, palm grove and ksours punctuate the wadi. Everywhere balancing wells intended to raise the water; many ksour are still busy (Aguedel, El ouarta, Guerzim, Kerzaz ...).

Algeria - The Royal Mausoleums of Numidia, Mauretania and pre-Islamic funerary monuments

"These are funerary goods produced from a brilliant original civilization, both African and Mediterranean. These royal monuments represent a selection of remarkable examples of burials dating back to various periods and from different regions. They testify to the diversity of architectural designs and craft techniques developed over several millennia."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Algeria - Augustinian sites, places and itineraries of central Maghreb

Roman roads and archaeological cities of Hippo (Annaba); Calama (Guelma); Thibilis (Announa); Thubursicu Numidarum (Khamissa), Madaure (M'daourouch); Thagaste (Souk Ahras); Castellum Tidditanorum (Tiddis); Thagura (Taoura); Milev (Mila); Sitifis (Setif); Caesarea (Cherchel); Cartenae (Tenes); Theveste (Tebessa) and Tubunae (Tobna). Among the fathers of the church, Augustin (Theveste 354 - Hippo 430) is undoubtedly one of the best known. Rhetor philosopher, theologian, unusual thinker, mystic and founder of an original monastic rule marked a particular imprint his era and since then, his fame has continued to grow in the world. The episcopal activities of Augustine have not only for site its seat of Hippo. From Hippone, his most diverse missions lead him to places and itineraries that cover all of eastern Algeria and part of central Algeria today.

Algeria - Oued souf

Set of unique oasis implanted in full erg imposing a particular mode of enhancement (technique of Ghout) and an original system of culture: the palms are planted directly above the table at the bottom of vast funnels dug in the sand. Secondary cultures are made on the edge of the funnels and irrigated by balance shafts. This type of oasis is not based on a geomorphological structure or an apparent hydrographic system. The existence of oases is a completely artificial creation, with every inch of land directly competing with the dunes. The maintenance work can never be interrupted, given the impossibility of blocking the continuous action of wind and sands against which any drastic opposition is doomed to failure. Artificial barriers of palms cause the accumulation of sand and favor the protective system of the drilled funnels.

Algeria - Nedroma and the Trara

Capital of Trara built on the reverse of Jebel Filaoussene by Abdelmoumen Ben Ali in 1150 on the ruins of a Berber city. It has hosted many Andalusian immigrants hunted by the recapture. It became an important textile center in the 16th century. It is a town on the slopes of Jebel Filaoussene between 400 and 500 m above sea level on a green site watered by large water sources where blue houses, white, green and brown form an enchanting. The geographer El Yacoubi quotes it and describes it as a great city; El Bekri in the 11th century gives a brilliant description as well as El Idrissi which points out its agricultural and commercial functions. This city enjoyed a great religious dignity comparable to that of the great Moslem cities; it has a large Almohad mosque, the mosque of Sidi Bou Ali, the mosque of Ben Aoufine with multiple domes and important ramparts. Nedroma is known for its many koubbas where saints and scholars are found besides Mediterranean but it is also known for its Andalusian musical traditions. In the sixteenth century, Leo the African attributed the wealth of Nedroma to the number of his weavers.