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| Reviews and photos of Algiers attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Algiers sightseeing. Algiers Map |
 | Algiers Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 49 |  |
The Casbah dates back from the Ottoman era. It's the old town of Algiers, and I was told by Algerians that the French never went into during their 130 years of occupation.
However, Jealn-Louis (JLBG) clarified the issue:
"When Algeria was « a part of France », of course the French went into the
casbah. During the struggle for independence, it was a stronghold of the FLN and
the French army had to struggle hard (and dirty) to win the “bataille d’Alger”.
The army finally won militarily but lost politically."
The name Casbah comes from Arabic Qasba, which means citadel, or the labyrinth (as my Algerian friends told me). Before it used to be the classy part of the town, and nowadays it's the place of the poorer part of the inhabitants of Algiers. It needs serious refurbishment, but precisely for its ruined state it is so remarkable and exciting. Inside there are still old artisans, some museums, old water fountains, beautiful doors...
My Algerian friends told me that after 4pm the place gets "dangerous" (insecure) so try to visit it before that hour. And the best of course is to go there with a local, although if you're prudent and use common sense, you can go on your own as well.
A funny thing is that some of my Algerian friends have never been to Casbah, even though they live in Algiers or nearby!
Casbah of Algiers is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list. Leave a Comment
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Notre Dame d'Afrique - Our Lady of Africa - is a Roman Catholic basilica quite difficult to reach. It stands on the hill in the northern part of Algiers, quite far from the centre, and absolutely impossible to reach unless you ask for directions, because there are no panels or inscriptions whatsoever. Even though I went there with a local, we had to ask lots of times and get back from the wrong route taken before we reached the destination. It didn't strike me as a popular place to be, although there is a small "park" - benches overlooking the city - quite an impressive view as a matter of fact! But it was very quiet and definitely not touristy. We were the only ones inside the church, beside the old French church-keeper.
Inside there is a statue of the black Virgin!
The inscriptions inside were interesting:
-"Notre Dame d'Afrique, priez pour Nous et pour les Musulmans" - our lady of Africa, pray for us and the Muslims;
-"Pas de plus grand amour que de donner sa vie pour ceux qu’on aime." - There is no greater love than to give one’s life for the sake of loved ones.
- "L'amour fraternel vient de Dieu et est Dieu même"- Brotherly love comes from God and is God itself.
The inscriptions are written in French, Arabic and Berber language.
Translation thanks to Jean-Louis (JLBG).
Basilica was built in 19th century. Leave a Comment
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A monument to the warrior from the resistance revolution, emir Abd El-Kader. It's also a square in the centre of Algiers, and you inevitably walk onto it if you're following the main street.
Jean-Louis (JLBG) explained that Place Emir Abd El-Kader before the independence was called Place Général Bugeaud and that it is somewhat absurd, as Bugeaud was the French General that in 1837-1844 won over Abd El-Kader, the leader of the resistance to the French army! Leave a Comment
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I found this mosque extremely beautiful and original - so white and small, simple, yet very pretty. It's in the centre, at the Martyr square, and there is a large plateau in front of it. It was built in the 17th century. Leave a Comment Address: Places des Martyrs
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The graveyard was formed between 1916 and 1919, when there were several French military hospitals in the area of Algiers. Sick, wounded and exhausted Serbian soldiers were transported there for treatment and healing from the Greek islands of Vido and Corfu, where the conditions were poor. Serbian Army arrived to Greece after long and lethal withdrawal from Serbia, escaping German and Bulgarian aggressive pressure. Half of them died withdrawing through Albania towards Greece, freezing on the snow without warm clothes and no food. Many of them continued dying in Greece, and later on in the allies' hospitals in Northern Africa, including Algiers.
Originally, the graveyard was at Tamenfoust (originally Cap Matifou), but it was moved to Dely Ibrahim in 1982.
There are 324 Serbian soldiers buried here.
Next to it there are British and German military cemeteries. Leave a Comment
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The most beautiful post office I've ever been to. It was built by the French in 1913 in neo-moorish style, and it's in the very heart of Algiers, on it most spacious and most beautiful square. Do not miss to get inside even if you don't want to send letters, it's a piece of art both inside and outside (especially inside!) Leave a Comment
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Don't miss a walk down the seafront promenade, although it's very far from the sea itself. I don't think it was the smartest idea to make entire seafront of Algiers blocked in a port and industrial mess (reminds me of Belgrade, only on a larger scale, we also have industry and trash on the riverside whereas all cities logically have the most beautiful walking areas by the river/sea). Seaside of Algiers is swallowed by the huge industrial and port mess, bus and train stations, but still, this nice street overlooks sea and it's the closest to it, speaking of centre. There are nice areas for chill out. Leave a Comment
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The bastion, or Palais du Raïs is now a museum that is a mini-casbah in itself - the architecture and organization of the houses inside, typical doors, hamam, but also a seafront "terrace" with a canon and guns niches, as it served in defense purposes in the past. Inside it features a nice collection of photos from Algeria as well as some items. It's well kept, very neat and stylish. Leave a Comment
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Besides Serbian, there are also British and German military cemeteries. They are bigger and gravestones are larger and in better conditions. In German cemetery there is a central "cube" where only there lie remains of 500 soldiers, plus the individual graves that you can see on the photo. Leave a Comment
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Strolling within the narrow streets of Casbah we met a nice and very kind lady who showed us around and invited us to see her house. We climbed to the top and it was a stunning view! The woman was very chatty and friendly, and told us about her life in the Casbah. Leave a Comment
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on February 24, 2008
