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    Tourist Attractions in Algeria

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Algeria. Photos and a brief description.

    About Algeria

    Algeria is the picturesque nature of the North African coast, the ancient ruins of great civilizations, the “residence” of the harsh Sahara, in a word – a colorful and vibrant country. The beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, the oriental bazaars of Constantine, architectural monuments of Roman, Carthaginian, Arab and Turkish cultures are waiting for tourists here.

    Historically, the majority of foreign tourists in Algeria are French, since the country was previously a French colony. The flow of travelers from other countries is not very high yet due to periodic unrest in the region. It is better to go to Algeria as part of an organized tour. The host party accommodates guests in several hotels of world chains. To visit the Sahara, visit the Berbers or go to the mountains, you will need to be accompanied by local guides.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Algeria

    The Old Kasbah

    The historical part of the capital of Algeria. Kasbah in translation from the local dialect means "fortress". This is the very heart of the city, where old houses, mosques and Ottoman palaces hide in narrow alleys and small squares. The city originated on the ruins of the Phoenician city of Ikosium. In 1992, the Kasbah was included in the UNESCO list. About 70 thousand people live here permanently, many buildings are in disrepair.

    The Old Kasbah
    The City of Constantine

    The City of Constantine

    Considered the pearl of the country, locals call Constantine "the city of hanging bridges". The city has an unusual location – it is located on a plateau, which was formed as a result of the washing out of rocks by the Rummel River. The El Cantra Bridge, the Devil's Bridge and the Falling Bridge, spanning deep and already dry riverbeds, connect the old city with its new part.

    Cathedral of Our Lady of Africa

    A cultural monument of Algeria and an active Catholic church. The cathedral was erected in 1872 by the French architect Jean Eugene Fromajo. During the construction, emphasis was placed on the neo-Byzantine style with Roman elements, which was popular in France at that time. The temple is located on a rock by the sea in the northern part of the city of Algiers. There is a statue of the Mother of God in the courtyard, calling to pray for Christians and Muslims.

    Cathedral of Our Lady of Africa
    St. Augustine's Basilica in Annaba

    St. Augustine's Basilica in Annaba

    Another Catholic church in Algeria, erected at the behest of the former French colonialists. The basilica appeared in 1881. It was restored in 2010 at the expense of the Pope and the French government and with the approval of the Algerian Government. The relics of Bishop Augustine of Annaba, who defended the city from the invasion of conquerors in the V century and heroically died during the siege, are kept on the territory of the temple.

    Tlemcen Cathedral Mosque

    It is located in the city of Tlemcen and is one of its main attractions. The first buildings on the site of the mosque appeared in the XI century . In the XII century. the temple was expanded by the will of the heir of Sultan Ali ibn Yusuf of the Almoravid dynasty. Another expansion took place in the XIII century. by order of Sultan Yaghmorasen, who is considered the founder of the mosque. In different periods, the university and the court, known throughout the Islamic world, were located on the territory.

    Tlemcen Cathedral Mosque
    Ketshava Mosque

    Ketshava Mosque

    One of the main attractions of the capital. It was built in the Byzantine and Moorish style at the beginning of the XVII century . During the French colonization, it was converted into the Catholic Cathedral of St. Philip. Several valuable historical relics are kept inside the mosque. During the construction, black and white marble was used, elements of this material have been partially preserved and have survived to the present day.

    Monument of Glory and Martyrdom

    Monument in honor of the twentieth anniversary of Algeria's independence from France. It is a stele with a height of about 92 meters, it is often called the "Algerian Eiffel Tower". The monument is clearly visible from anywhere in the capital. The elements of the structure symbolize palm leaves soaring up, which converge into a dome at the top. The eternal flame burns under the dome. At the foot there are soldiers-defenders, personifying the resilience of the Algerian people.

    Monument of Glory and Martyrdom
    Mzab Valley

    Mzab Valley

    The area located around five ancient Algerian cities formed by the 10th century. These settlements, called "ksar", have reached our days in almost unchanged form. The valley is a magnificent monument of architecture and history of the country. The buildings are made of white or cream stone, inside the towns there are labyrinths of streets, small markets – real museums of the life of local residents, mosques.

    The type of service

    The ancient Phoenician city, which from the VI century BC served as an outpost and was of strategic importance. After the capture of these territories by Rome, Tipaza was a Roman colony for 150 years. After the destruction of the barbarians in the VI century. the city was reborn. The Arabs who replaced the Byzantines called the settlement Tefassed (heavily destroyed). On the territory of the modern city, tourists can see the ruins of an amphitheater, baths, Christian basilicas.

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    Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania

    Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania

    The tomb of the Moorish ruler Juba II and his wife Cleopatra Selena II, is located in Tipaza. The building has absorbed a particle from the ancient Phoenician and Christian culture. The structure has a pyramidal shape with hidden entrances hidden in the wall. The mausoleum is considered quite a valuable and interesting cultural object, it resembles the mausoleum of the first emperor of Rome Augustus, built in the Eternal City.

    The ancient Roman city of Timgad

    It was founded by Emperor Trojan at the turn of the I and II centuries. in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Timgad was built for permanent residence of retired Roman legionnaires who had served for 25 years. Initially, it was assumed that 15 thousand people would be accommodated there, but very soon the city grew to 50 thousand. Citizens of Timgad had equal rights with citizens of Rome itself. A fortress wall was erected to protect against Berber nomads.

    The ancient Roman city of Timgad
    Kala Beni Hammad

    Kala Beni Hammad

    The former capital of the Hammadid dynasty, is located in the northern province of Algeria. Currently, the city is a ruin against the backdrop of picturesque mountains. Kala Beni Hammad is listed by UNESCO as showing the true picture of a Muslim fortification city. The city traces its history back to 1007, it was founded by Hammad, the son of the founder of Algeria. Hence the Berber Hammadid dynasty came from.

    The ancient Roman city of Dzhemila

    Another Roman city for veteran legionnaires in Algeria. Here, after a long and exhausting service in the army, former soldiers received land plots and broad civil rights. Before the barbarians captured it in 431 AD, villas were built here, gardens bloomed and olive groves rustled. Due to climate change and the onset of the desert, people gradually left these places. In the XX century, active excavations began in Cemila.

    The ancient Roman city of Dzhemila
    Fort Santa Cruz

    Fort Santa Cruz

    One of the three fortresses of the port city of Oran, connected by tunnels with other forts. Santa Cruz was built by the Spaniards in the XVI century, later occupied by the Turks and at the beginning of the XIX century was conquered by the French. The fortress was the most powerful urban structure. Its architecture dominated the typical Moorish residential and administrative buildings. The territory of the fort has been preserved quite well, now there are guided tours.

    Atlas Mountains

    A mountain range, part of which passes through the territory of Algeria. It separates the Mediterranean coast from the Sahara. The Atlas mountain system has been known since the time of the Phoenicians' campaigns, its description can be found in the works of ancient thinkers dated to the II century BC. The mountains consist of three ridges, several internal plateaus, plains. They are considered the highest in the territory of Northwest Africa.

    Atlas Mountains
    Jurjura National Park

    Jurjura National Park

    Giurgiura is a mountain range that is part of the Atlas Mountains system. The nature protection zone appeared here in 1925, later a national park was formed. On the territory of the park, tourists can enjoy picturesque views of the peaks covered with lush forests, pine and oak groves. The most popular place among travelers of Djurjura is the winter resort of Tikjda, which is located at an altitude of more than 1.5 km. above sea level.

    Tassilin-Ajer Plateau

    Algerian National Park in the southeastern part of the country. The plateau is interesting because its fantastic landscapes resemble the surface of a distant planet. There are also ancient caves with thousands of rock paintings, which can be used to study human evolution and its features in this area. Scattered on the plateau are stone arches made of sandstone, bizarre pillars and canopies made of solid rock.

    Tassilin-Ajer Plateau
    Ahaggar Highlands

    Ahaggar Highlands

    A mountain range on the territory of the Sahara, around which Tuaregs have settled since ancient times. According to the myths of this tribe, Ahaggar was formed as a result of the battles of fabulous djinn, who froze in carved poses and turned into rocks. The main Tuareg city is located in the southwest of the highlands. Here you can visit the museum of local culture and get acquainted with the customs of the true masters of the desert (as the Tuaregs call themselves).

    Thermal springs Hammam Mescutin

    A unique natural phenomenon that represents mineral formations of various shades and shapes and water flowing down them. The water temperature in the bath can reach 97 ° C. It is believed that the waters of the Hammam Mescutin are able to cure diabetes. The place is very popular with the local population, there are almost no foreign tourists here, although there are enough hotels built in the vicinity.

    Thermal springs Hammam Mescutin
    Sahara Desert

    Sahara Desert

    The largest desert on Earth, stretching across the territory of several African states. In Arabic, the word "Sahara" is used to refer to any desert. The length of the desert from East to West is about 5000 km, from South to North – an average of 1000 km. The landscape is quite diverse — there are sand dunes, salt marshes, rocky plateaus, highlands, mountain ranges, formations of volcanic rocks.