In Salah history

The history of the city of In Salah dates back to ancient times and is inextricably linked to survival in the harsh conditions of the Sahara Desert. Located in the central part of the state of Algeria, this oasis emerged thanks to the presence of accessible groundwater. The name of the city is often interpreted as "The Good Spring" or "Salah's Spring," indicating that water was the primary reason for the founding of the first settlements in the arid Tidikelt region.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of scattered settlements into a significant urban centre was driven by several strategic circumstances:

• Geographical Location: The oasis is situated at the intersection of important routes, making it an indispensable stopping point for travellers.
• Trans-Saharan Trade: For centuries, In Salah served as a key transit point for caravans travelling from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea into the depths of Africa and back. Here, merchants replenished their supplies and exchanged news.

Early Culture and Economy

The economic life of the oasis has always rested on two pillars: trade and agriculture. Local residents developed and implemented a complex irrigation system (foggara), which allowed for the cultivation of extensive date palm groves that protect the city from encroaching sands. The architectural appearance of the old city was formed under the influence of Saharan traditions: buildings and fortifications (ksour) were erected from red clay in a characteristic style that ensures coolness even in the most intense heat.

Major Historical Milestones

• XII–XIV Centuries: During this period, fortified settlements (ksour) are definitively formed, and the foggara irrigation system is introduced, allowing the oasis to flourish.
• 1826: The city is visited by the Scottish explorer Alexander Gordon Laing, becoming one of the first Europeans to reach this remote corner of the desert.
• 1864: The German traveller Gerhard Rohlfs stays in the oasis and compiles a detailed description of the local lifestyle and caravan trade.
• December 1899: A French military expedition approaches the borders of the region, marking the beginning of attempts at colonial seizure of the central Sahara.
• 5 January 1900: After a decisive battle, In Salah comes under the control of the French administration, becoming an important outpost.
• 1902: The territory is officially included in the so-called Southern Territories, governed by military command.
• 1920s: The first motor routes are laid through the city, connecting the northern coast with deep Africa.
• 5 July 1962: The region becomes an integral part of the independent state of Algeria following the end of colonial rule.
• 1974: During administrative reform, the city receives the status of a district centre (daira) within the Tamanrasset province.
• 2004: Launch of a major joint natural gas extraction project, which turned the traditional oasis into a significant industrial centre.
• 18 December 2019: In Salah receives the status of the administrative centre of a new province (wilaya) of the same name, gaining greater autonomy.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The evolution of the city of In Salah represents a journey from an isolated oasis to an important industrial and administrative hub. Below are the key processes that have shaped the modern appearance, economy, and culture of this settlement.

• Creation of the Hydraulic System: The implementation and expansion of the foggara network (traditional underground channels) became the foundation for life in the region. This engineering solution allowed for sustainable agriculture in conditions of extreme drought, forming a vast belt of palm groves that protect residential quarters from the sands.
• Golden Age of Caravan Trade: Until the beginning of the 20th century, the city functioned as a strategic trading hub. Economic prosperity during this period was built on servicing caravans crossing the Sahara, which facilitated cultural exchange and the formation of unique local crafts.
• Transport Revolution of the 20th Century: The construction of Trans-Saharan highways radically changed logistics. The oasis reoriented from camel caravans to servicing heavy goods vehicles, leading to the emergence of road infrastructure, petrol stations, and repair workshops.
• Gas Industrialisation: The beginning of large-scale development of gas fields in the Krechba region and surrounding areas was a turning point for the economy. Energy projects transformed the traditional agrarian oasis into an industrial centre, providing a significant portion of the exports carried out by Algeria.
• Urban Dualism: The urban development of the city has followed a path of combining eras. The preservation of historical quarters (ksour) with red clay architecture in the Neo-Sudanese style proceeds in parallel with the construction of modern concrete buildings necessary for the growing population.
• Administrative Autonomy: Obtaining the status of a wilaya (province) centre gave a powerful impulse to the development of the social sphere. This event entailed the construction of new administrative buildings, medical centres, and educational institutions, strengthening the city's role as a regional capital.

The architectural appearance of the city of In Salah is dictated by the harsh conditions of the Sahara Desert. Urban planning here has developed for centuries as an art of survival: from the choice of materials to the layout of streets designed to protect residents from the scorching sun and sandstorms. The city is often called the "Red Oasis" due to the characteristic colour of the clay buildings that dominate the historical part.

Traditional Saharan Architecture

The historical core of the city is formed in the traditional Saharan style, which shares many similarities with Sudanese architecture (Neo-Sudanese style). This direction is characterised not only by aesthetics but also by exceptional functionality.

• Materials: The main building material is local red clay (adobe), which possesses high thermal insulation properties. House walls are made thick to keep cool during the day and release heat during the cold desert nights.
• Layout: The old quarters (ksour) represent a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets. Such a structure creates natural shade and breaks wind gusts, reducing dust in the air.
• Decor: Buildings are often decorated with geometric ornaments and crenellated parapets, characteristic of the Saharan oases of the state of Algeria.

Colonial Influence and Modernism

With the arrival of the French administration in the early 20th century, the architectural landscape began to change. Colonial structures, such as administrative buildings and military forts, were erected taking local stylistics into account but using European engineering solutions. This led to the appearance of a unique synthesis, where European functionality was combined with Oriental flair (arched openings, internal courtyards).

Modern Urban Planning

In recent decades, thanks to the development of the oil and gas industry, In Salah has expanded significantly. The modern stage of development is distinguished by a departure from traditional materials:

• Concrete Structures: New districts are being built with standard houses made of concrete and cinder blocks. Although this accelerates construction, such buildings require active air conditioning, as they cope worse with the heat compared to clay counterparts.
• Infrastructure Facilities: Wide avenues, administrative complexes, and industrial zones have appeared, contrasting with the intimate atmosphere of the old city.

Prominent Figures of In Salah

The history of the oasis of In Salah is linked both with legendary figures who stood at the origins of its founding and with famous explorers who opened this corner of the desert to the outside world. Below are key persons whose names are forever inscribed in the annals of the city.

• Salah
  Legendary Founder
  According to local legends, it was this man who discovered a life-giving source of water in the desert. A settlement arose around the found well, receiving the name "Ain Salah" (Salah's Spring). His figure symbolises the beginning of life in the oasis.
• Kella
  Legendary Ancestress
  Daughter of the famous Tuareg queen Tin Hinan. According to legend, Kella set up camp in these places, which contributed to the settlement of the Tidikelt region. She is revered as one of the key figures in the ethnogenesis of local tribes.
• Alexander Gordon Laing
  Scottish Traveller and Explorer
  One of the first Europeans to reach the oasis in 1826 during his expedition to Timbuktu. His records became the first reliable evidence about the city for the Western world, confirming its role as an important trading hub.
• Gerhard Rohlfs
  German Geographer and Writer
  Visited the city in 1864 and lived here for some time. Rohlfs compiled a detailed description of the residents' daily life, caravan routes, and irrigation system, making the region known in the scientific circles of 19th-century Europe.
• Théodore Pein
  French Officer and Colonial Administrator
  Commanded the military expedition which, in 1900, led to the inclusion of the city into French possessions. His actions, including the decisive battle for the oasis, became a turning point that integrated the region into modern Algeria.
• François-Henry Laperrine
  French General and Sahara Explorer
  Organiser of the famous Saharan camel corps (Méharistes). Although his activities covered the entire desert, he played a key role in the mapping and administrative organisation of the Tidikelt region in the early 20th century.
• Émile-Félix Gautier
  Ethnographer and Geographer
  Conducted extensive research on the water supply system (foggara) in the region. His scientific works helped to understand the uniqueness of the engineering solutions allowing the oasis to exist in extreme climatic conditions.