[1] El Hamel was built in the 11th century on two hills at the foot of Mount Omrane; Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the city resembles a medieval citadel below which flows the Great Oued.
The old village of El-Hamel is built around Ain-Et'Touta (the Fountain of the Mulberry tree) is a ksar whose buildings recall those of the Kasbah of Algiers and the ksour of Ghardaïa and the old Bou-Saâda.
They communicate with one another through beautiful Sakifates; A sort of narrow streets crossed here and there by Ghorfates or suspended verandas that rest on old tree trunks, forming small tunnels that bring shelter, charm, and freshness.
Built on the left bank of the Oued Bou-Saâda, its imposing mass whose appearance is that of a fortress seems to watch over the village located below.
The creation of the Zaouïa complex dates back to the 19th century, founded by Sidi Mohammed Ben Belqacem [ar] born in 1823 in the vicinity of Hassi Bahbah in the Djelfa Province.