TIMIMOUN

mim ou n- A g ene ral v iew o f the h ig h s treet
2. Ti mi mou n C ent ral Mosqu e

moun –The famous Kobbah
4.Timimoun- The Writer in the Town Centre
5.Timimoun- Another view of the high street
6.Timimoun- Town centre and some passers by
7.Timimoun- at the outskirts of the City
IN T HE NA ME O F GOD TH E COM PA SS ION ATE TH E
MER CIF UL
Subject: Historic Cities of Algeria.
*Introduction:
1. TIMIMOUN
Once a western tourist had this to say after visiting the
whole of Algeria from the northern coast to the southern
hot sands of the Sahara: “If ever there was a country
whose immensity defied the imagination and offered so
much in the way of varied opportunities for tourism,
Algeria is it”.
Seaside Algiers still manages to have some of the charm
of the Cote d'Azur but with the feeling of a modern,
bustling city, while the Desert or Sahara (3/4 of the total
area of the country) renders men totally cool, calm and
nerveless due to the breath-taking tranquillity of the
landscape.
It would be very important to stress that Algeria has three
types of climate:
• Mediterranean varying from West to East with an
average summer temperature of 65 degrees. Summer
temperatures go over 86 degrees with a temperate
climate.
The semi-arid climate in the high plains region where
the winter season has often temperatures of about or
below zero degrees. And the summer is dry and hot
with temperatures of over 86 degrees.
• The Southern regions where the summer is
extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 94
degrees, but in the winter there is a mild climate with
night temperatures at or below zero.
Algeria is often claimed to be the crossroads of three
worlds: Mediterranean, Arab- Muslim and African. It
also boasts coastline with numerous sandy bays. The
interior of the country presents plenty of opportunities
for sport and leisure activities, ranging from skiing in
the mountains to skiing in the sands of the Sahara
It is worth mentioning that Timimoun was a former
meeting place of caravans bringing gold, cotton and
ivory from the south and cereals and spices from the
north. In this town whose predominant colour is ochre,
the mosque, the Sudan Door and wall sculptures are
popular sights for tourists.
Timimoun is situated in the middle of the Gourrara
region which is a part of the Grand Erg Occidental, at a
distance of 1250 km south-west of Algiers the Capital.
This is one of the most uninhabitable parts of the
Sahara due to the incredibly high sand dunes which
shift restlessly day after day across the hot sandy
planes of the desert. However, despite the regions
formidable reputation, Timimoun manages not only
survive by to do so in style.
Timimoun is situated between palm groves and a salt
lake in a little desert oasis. The magnificent sand
dunes of the Sahara rise and fall in the distance
providing the city with the most picturesque backdrop.
The town itself is quite small and can be divided into
two sections. The old part is called "ksour" (Small
village or Castle) and most of the houses are built of
red mud in a style known as "Sudanese Architecture".
These homes seem to compete for space, almost
climbing on top of one another as they try to gain the
highest ground possible. The streets between them are
narrow and in true desert fashion are shaded over by
large sheets of cloth so that passing pedestrians can
have some sort of relief from the blazing sun.
In the newer sections of the town which were built by the
French, much of the original Hostel that was once built in
this newer section by the French in 1921 is now a cultural
centre and a great place to spend a few hours if you are
visiting. The most notable feature of this are the “gobbas”
or “Kobbas” which are buildings dedicated to the Marabouts
or Saints.
Another place worth visiting is the palmeraie of Ouled Said
(30 km from Timimoun) which has a magnificent view of the
traditional techniques of palm-growing as well as Foggara –
irrigation system, also the Igzer tavern just in the outskirts
of Timimoun is another breath-taking sight.
The properties here are enclosed by mud walls which are too
high to see over and the shade of the palm trees provides
welcome relief. Most visitors to Timimoun use the city as a
base for excursions into the uninhabitable Grand Erg
Occidental.
Timimoun is possibly the definitive Saharan oasis town. It is
a very enchanting place, built on the edge of an escarpment
with fantastic views over an ancient salt lake to the distant
dunes, especially magical on a moonlit night.
‫محمد بوكريطة الحسني‬
‫كاتب مستقل‬
mb ok ret a@ ma ktoo b.c om
MOHA MED B OKR ETA A L H ASSA NI
mo hb okr eta@ yaho o.c om

TIMIMOUN

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mim ou n- A g ene ral v iew o f the h ig h s treet

2. Ti mi mou n C ent ral Mosqu e

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