اخبار الجزائر – وطن نيوز
اخر اخبار الجزائر اليوم – اخبار الجزائر العاجلة
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-07-22 19:13:00
The Timgad area in Batna is considered a tourist attraction par excellence, through its cultural and archaeological location, which has made it gain a high international reputation thanks to its historical dimension that extends to the Roman and Phoenician era, not to mention the artistic and creative dimension added by its annual international festival, which allowed it to attract large audiences who often enjoyed the performances presented in the stage of the ancient Timgad Theater over the years, and in the new theater that also created the limit in past editions, the latest of which is this summer’s edition in the presence of artists with whom the audience interacted widely. The ancient city of Timgad has cultural, historical and tourism components that qualify it to be an attractive pole for foreign and local tourists, and a basic pillar for supporting development at the local and national levels. According to Dr. Issa Belkhbat, despite the city’s tourist demand from various nationalities, this influx remains limited and does not live up to its global status. According to our speaker, it is classified as a unique archaeological value, and the second city in the world that still maintains its urban structure and integrated monuments after the Italian city of Pompeii, in addition to being the second Roman city in which a public library was built after the Celsus Library in the Turkish city of Ephesus. Despite this great importance, archaeological excavations and research in the city stopped immediately after independence, leaving vast areas of this historical metropolis sleeping under the rubble, waiting for new excavation projects to reveal All its secrets, especially since many historical sources confirm that the Roman city was built over the ruins of a Numidian city that preceded it in existence. This is evidenced by the appearance of parts of a wall built according to the Numidian geometric style at the entrance to the city. Dr. Issa Belkhbat confirms that Timgad did not receive adequate development momentum. The residents of the region and those interested in the sector are still waiting for the implementation of the dual road project linking the states of Batna and Khenchela via Timgad, which is a project that is of great importance to break the current traffic congestion that has become a real obstacle to the flow of tourists. In addition to this, there is a severe lack of services and facilities, which requires accelerating the implementation of the tourism expansion area project, completing the remaining parts of the “Trajan Hotel,” in addition to settling the legal status of the municipal hotel inherited from the colonial era and rehabilitating it. He stressed that the advancement of these structural projects would activate and develop tourism activity, ensuring the achievement of sustainable development that benefits the region and the country in general. Thus, its residents hope that it will be a city that attracts investment in a way that serves the ambitions and concerns of the residents of this archaeological city, which is distinguished by its historical dimension and its important geographical location, as it is adjacent to National Road No. 88, which connects it to the eastern historical states such as Khenchela, Tebessa and Oum El Bouaghi. It is also almost in the middle of the state departments, and some describe Tamouqadi. It serves as the gateway to the state of Batna from the east, especially for those coming from the state of Khenchela and its environs through the municipality of Ouled Fadil. Tamuqadi…a global archaeological reputation in need of qualitative development. Most of those who go to Batna from various states of the country or from abroad, the first thing they think of as a basic step is to shift the destination towards “Tamoqadi”, and this is based on its fame that has exceeded borders, through its geographical location as well as its ancient city, which is still a destination for tourists and those interested, as evidenced by the respectful presence of visitors and families, especially during the weekend, in parallel with the Algerians’ dedication to important traditions in the field of tourism of all kinds over the years. The latter, and at the forefront of this is archaeological and mountain tourism, which is the given that the Timgad region has, similar to other neighboring regions, in the form of Wadi Al-Taqa, Aris, Ishmul, Inogessen, Yabous, Bouhamama, Shelia, and others, and this is via the national road linking Batna and Khenchela, and the distance that Timgad is from the capital of the Aures does not exceed 36 kilometers, which facilitates the task in this aspect. This happens despite the troubles that the region has faced due to the fragility and weakness of the popular councils elected over the years. The past and the internal conflicts that have negatively affected the municipality for years in terms of development, as Timgad often lost important projects that were able to provide the necessary addition. In addition to this geographical aspect that characterizes the Timgad district, especially since it is not very far from the state headquarters, its historical extension extends to ancient times and civilizations, since the Phoenicians and Romans stepped in after them, and their attempts, according to Professor Zein al-Din Boumzrouk, to obliterate the history of the people of the region with all the power available to them, And building cities, such as the archaeological city of Timgad, which is an important tourist attraction. However, according to our interlocutor, the indigenous people resisted and did not surrender to the foreign invasion, nor were they affected by the cultures that came to them. He added that the forts that the invaders built around the ancient cities are evidence of the fierce resistance that was found by the indigenous people of the region. Professor Zein al-Din Boumzrouk said, “The recent discoveries at the entrance to the archaeological city in 2018, represented by the remains and traces of images dating back to the Phoenician era, are evidence of the excellence of The historical and cultural heritage of the region, indicating that this steadfastness and wealth extended to confronting the French occupier, as the region was the cradle of the first spark of the victorious revolution, and this is from the gate of Mashta Laqrin, which hosted the historic meeting of the leaders of the revolution, and this was under the supervision of the heroic martyr Mustafa Ben Boulaid, who reproduced the statement of the first of November and divided the regions and distributed them to the leaders. This is evidence, according to Professor Boumzrouk, of the importance of this historical castle in Algeria, a high-end tourist destination in need To the interest and care, those familiar with the Timgad region agree that it is considered the first tourist destination in the state of Batna, and a destination for tourists nationally and internationally, due to its archaeological monuments dating back to the Roman era, and its possession of a site and a museum classified as a World Heritage Site. According to Professor Issa Belkhbat, the prospects of Timgad are not limited to the cultural and tourism aspect only, but rather it has promising economic potential, the most prominent of which is the Kedia Lamdour Dam, which finances a group of states of the country with potable water, where a percentage has been allocated Of its water for agricultural irrigation, which would advance the agricultural sector in the region, especially with the municipality’s availability of fertile plains. The municipality also witnessed many investments in bricks, due to the availability of the soil used in the brick industry locally in terms of quantity and quality, in addition to ceramic factories, as evidenced by the fact that it owns one of the largest factories of this material in Africa located on the territory of the municipality, and its product is exported to many countries, in addition to the presence of the sulfate material used in the paper industry in abundance, as evidenced by its location on a significant area of Kilometers apart, regardless of some of the development problems that the region is experiencing, many factors have made the Timgad district in the municipality of Doufana and its parks a suitable climate for investment, and this is along National Road 88 linking Batna and Khenchela. Many of those who spoke with “Al-Shorouk” believe that the heritage of the Timgad region is an important factor in promoting cultural action, through exploiting the spaces to introduce the artistic and cultural heritage of the population and the abundant talents it abounds in various ways. Al-Mayadeen, in order for it to be synonymous with and supportive of its international cultural and singing festival. In this aspect, Professor Noureddine Boumzrouk returned to earlier experiences, foremost among which is the establishment of a committee that sponsors cultural, educational and artistic activities in the municipality, with the aim of attracting all actors in the cultural field so that the city regains its luster. According to our interlocutor, the city has all the capabilities to lead the cultural event, citing the experience that took place in the years 2017 and 2018, through performances that contributed. In which local associations and bodies participated in celebrations that took place in the main streets of the city, celebrating the anniversary of the November 1st Revolution, accompanied by artistic performances and exhibitions of plastic arts carried out by artists who came from the state of Biskra, in addition to an exhibition of photographs. All of these activities are considered to be in need of appreciation and continuity in order to strengthen the tourist name of the city, in addition to official celebrations such as the January celebrations in which there are exhibitions and displays of the local cultural and traditional product of the region, and these are dates considered, according to Professor Zinedine Boumzrouk, an opportunity. To provide the cultural and tourism product to the Timgad region. According to what “Al-Shorouk” found, the residents of Timgad are looking forward to the advancement of the cultural sector in its historical and tourism dimensions, and this is through encouraging investments in this field, while exploiting the Kadia Medawar Dam as a tourist space for families after supporting its surroundings with reception structures and space for games and others, while doubling the municipality’s share of local development projects, and this is based on its economic, tourism and cultural importance to the state of Batna. Cultural and archaeological tourism is at the forefront of tourism types It is clear that the archaeological and historical sites of the ancient city of Timgad are an important model that reflects the status of historical and cultural tourism and the need to care for it in a way that benefits the national economy, and this is what applies to the reality of tourism in Timgad, the Aures and Algeria in general. In this aspect, Professor Miloud Murad from the University of Batna1 points out that historical tourism is among the best types of tourism in attracting tourists, from inside and outside, and its importance lies, according to our interlocutor, in that it is not artificial, but rather a product of time. And the exploits he immortalized for the peoples, adding by saying: “This type of tourism that is popular with the public is important, because you do not find it in all places, not even in countries that have reached great strides in development,” adding that Algeria, this country the size of a continent with the diversity of its history and cultures, possesses historical tourism components that other sister countries do not possess, but that these countries have been able to market their history well, by focusing on media marketing and advertising, and encouraging tourism in it, stressing that The Aures region is one of the important regions in Algeria, and this name came from its presence next to the Aures Mountains, which includes certain states, the most important of which are Batna, Oum El Bouaghi, Khenchela, and Tebessa, and some of the municipalities of the state of Biskra. Dr. Miloud Mourad believes that the Aures region has a culture, language, customs, and traditions that are deeply rooted in history. It imitates history in all its stages, and has tourism potential that other states do not possess, and it has many historical tourist attractions that even the residents of the region do not know about. Worth visiting and praising, according to our speaker, we find the Imdegasen Shrine, which is located on top of a plateau in the north-east of the state of Batna, with a height of 19 meters and an area of 59 metres. Its construction dates back to the third century BC, and Eastern and Greek culture are mixed in its construction, as well as the ancient city of Timgad, which is considered one of the most important Roman places, as it is known for the presence of four gates with roofs and columns in square and circular shapes that lead to multiple intersections in the state, in addition to containing buildings. Ancient archaeological sites, such as baths and various facilities built in the Roman style, can also be mentioned. It is also possible to mention the archaeological site of Tabna, which is 40 km away from the center of Barika, and which is a large pile of silt and dirt underneath which an entire city is hidden. Pointing out that the area of this city is approximately 600 hectares, some of its landmarks are clearly visible, such as the columns, the water tank, the Byzantine and Islamic palace, the Islamic mosque, the Roman bath, the church, and the cemetery. In terms of revolutionary sites, Professor Miloud Murad points out To the importance of visiting the memorial monument that commemorates the place of distribution of weapons in Dashra Ouled Moussa, as well as the place where the first bullets of the November 1954 revolution were fired in the Taghit region, located high in the Aures Mountains between the regions of Tijanmin and Takout in the state of Batna, as well as the house of the martyr Mustafa Ben Boulaid, which has become a real shrine that inspires our children and generations. The words apply, according to our interlocutor, to other historical monuments that symbolize the steadfastness and pride of the Algerian people, such as the house of the martyr, the symbol of the Arab Ben M’hidi. In the roundabout of El Kawahi, Oum El Bouaghi Province, historical sites… what strategy?! In view of the importance of activating cultural and historical tourism so that it becomes an important space for attracting visitors and learning about the glorious history of the Aures and Algeria in various eras and eras, many have called for the necessity of drawing up an effective strategy in this aspect, in a way that gives an honorable image of Algeria abroad in light of the impressions of visitors and arrivals from various Arab and Western countries. Professor Walid Bouadila from the University of Skikda confirms that opening the papers for historical and cultural tourism in Algeria renews the question about the absence of strategy and plans, or at least their lack of feasibility and effectiveness, according to him, pointing to many negative aspects that combine negligence and lack of interest, given that tourist delegations often go towards some historical, heritage or revolutionary places, but do not find anyone to guide them, guide them, and give them information, whether verbally or by providing brochures and brochures, or at least by placing a large banner at the entrance to the sites, containing information about the historical and political event and the cultural and religious dimension. On the other hand, many agree on the necessity of exploiting technology and practicing good behavior to promote historical, cultural and archaeological tourism, even if only on a temporary basis. Professor Walid Bouadila calls for the necessity of looking into the tourist routes that Algerian tourism agencies operate on, wondering where the cultural tourism is in light of the agencies directing their clients towards commercial centers and beaches without heading to museums or to the activities of cultural institutions when transporting tourists from the East to the West and vice versa, without attending book fairs, traditional industries and plays, as our interlocutor came to the conclusion that there is an improvement Cultural, historical, and archaeological tourism in its cognitive, developmental, and tourism context in Algeria requires definition and promotion through technology and social media.
