Mostaganem Travel Guide

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As told before, what makes the uniqueness & beauty of Algeria is its diversity. And even in a mid-sized city like Mostaganem, you can enjoy this diversity.

The old part of the city, Tigditt (or Tijditt) is the "Casbah" of Mostaganem, with beautiful Turkish-Moorish architecture. In this part of the city can you can enjoy narrow streets, beautiful old mosques, medersas (Islamic schools) and so many old buildings of Islamic influences.

This is also the cultural heart of Mostaganem, the birthplace of many Zaouias and Aissawa music groups (sea the Tip for Aissawa music).

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Within 4/5 years, Mostaganem transport system will completely change to get to, leave and move around the city:
- The city main harbour (there are 2) is under modernization to welcome big ferries from France and Spain in order to relieve Oran harbour.
- A brand new and ultramodern road station has been completed to serve the city to/from the whole country.
- A complete city bus system will be operating this year with clear, safer and more practical services.
- A new and modern tramway line is under construction by French Alstom and will serve the whole city from the new University campus of Kharouba to the beach resort of Les Sablettes.
- New roads and tunnels are under construction to relieve the traffic.
- An urban motorway will be operating this year to connect the new East/West freeway.

Aissawa is a religious and mystical brotherhood and order founded in Meknès, Morocco by Muhammad Ben Aïssâ (1465-1526), best known as the Chaykh Al-Kâmil (translated as the Perfect Sufi Master).

The Aïssâwa are known for their spiritual music characterized by the use of the oboe ghaita (syn. mizmar, zurna), of collective songs of religious psalms accompanied by an orchestra of percussions using polyrhythm. Their complex ceremony, which use symbolic dances bringing the participants to ecstatic trance, take place in the private sphere during domestic rituals nights, and also in the public sphere during celebrations of national festivals (the moussems, which are also pilgrimages) and touristic (folk spectacles) or religious festivities (Ramadan, mawlid or birth of the Prophet) organized by the Moroccan and Algerian States.

Each region has its own style and Mostaganem is well known for its Aissawa groups that are hired in many festivals, weddings and any kinds of celebrations. Their music are both catching and captivating.