Qal'at Bani Hammad was founded by Hammad ibn Buluggin as the intended capital of the Hammadid kingdom. It stands at an altitude of nearly 1,000 metres and is protected by mountainous terrain and deep gorges. Some stunning remains have been uncovered by initial excavations: the mosque and its minaret, the Amirs' Palace and the Palace of the Sea to the north, the Palace of the Star to the west and the Palace of Salvation even further west. The Manar Palace and its keep are located to the east of the minaret.