al-Jazā'ir (Algiers, الجزائر)
al-Jazā'ir, or Algiers, is known as Alger in French and Al Djazair in Arabic. When travelling through Algeria, both names will be encountered on road signs. Archaeological evidence shows that the area of contemporary Algiers was already inhabited around 1200 BC. Algiers itself was founded in 972 by Buluggin ibn Ziri and it has been the capital of the Regency of Algiers from 1516 to 1830, French Algeria from 1830 to 1942, Free France from 1942 to 1944, French Algeria again from 1944 to 1962 and since Algeria's independence in 1962, it has been the capital of Algeria.
Algiers used to be a walled city. The French constructed a rampart, a parapet, a ditch and the two terminal forts of Bab Azoun (باب عزون) to the south and Bab-el-Oued (اد ) to the north, when they occupied the city in 1830. At the start of the 20th century, these defensive systems were demolished.
Currently, Algiers is the largest city in Algeria and the 3rd largest on the Mediterranean. Algiers features numerous museums, art galleries and cultural centers. The city's historic center is a UNESCO world heritage site.
- The Casbah (the Citadel), is the city's premier district. It is called Al-Djazaïr Al Mahroussa (Well Kept Algiers) in Arabic and it is built on the ruins of the Roman city of Icosium. The Casbah is a small city within Algiers. It is built on a hill and there are many picturesque winding lanes descending towards the Mediterranean Sea.
The Casbah is divided into the High City and the Low City.
The French have ruined most of the original buildings in the medina, but some Turkish palaces still survive, as well as many 17th-century buildings. Most of those buildings are concentrated around the Ketchaous mosque, especially on Rue Hadj Omar (the street on the right when facing the mosque). Rue Mohammed Akli Malek is a stairway to the left off Rue Hadj Omar. - Bab el Oued means 'the River's Gate'. It got its name, as it extends from the Casbah beyond the gate of the river. The district is a popular place to live for locals. It features a beautiful square with the three clocks. There is also the bustling market Triplet, as well as countless workshops and small manufacturing plants.
- Edge of sea is not really a district, but a series of government buildings that line the boulevard Che Guevara (formerly the Boulevard of the Republic) and form an elegant walk bordered by arcades. The area was built in the second half of the 19th century. These buildings include:
- Town Hall.
- Law Courts.
- A Theatre.
- The Palace of the Governor.
- A Casino.
- Kouba used to be a separate town, but with the expansion of Algiers it was incorporated into that city. It is a residential district and it mostly consists of low-rise buildings such as houses and villas.
- The suburb of El Harrach is some 10 km (6 mi) to the east of Algiers.
- The Heights of Algiers is one of Algeria's administrative and policy centres. It consists of the communes of Hydra, Ben Aknoun, El-Biar and Bouzaréah, where many foreign embassies, ministries and university centres are located.
- The Didouche Mourad Street runs from the Heights of Algiers to the Grande Post Office. It is considered to be the heart of Algiers and it is lined with expensive shops and restaurants.
- The Grand Post Office was built in 1910. It is located on Place Grande Poste in the center of Algiers.
- One of the best preserved Turkish palaces is at number 9 on Rue Mohammed Akli Malek. It houses the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. More museums are situated on the hill behind the new city.
- Djamaa el Djedid (الجامع الجديد, New Mosque) dates from 1660. During French rule it was known as Mosquée de la Pêcherie (Mosque of the Fisherman's Wharf).
- The oldest mosque in Algiers is the Djamaa el Kebir (الجامع الكبير, the Grand Mosque). It was originally built in 1097, but it was heavily damaged during French sieges in 1682 and 1683. It was subsequently rebuilt in 1794 and it has formerly been part of the Palace of Jénina.
- Ketchaoua Mosque (جامع كتشاوة) was originally constructed in 1612, but it was demolished between 1845 and 1860, to be replaced by the French built Cathedral of St. Philippe. Upon AAlgerian independence in 1962, it was converted into the Ketchaoua Mosque. It is located at the foot of the Casbah.
- The Roman Catholic Basilique Notre Dame d'Afrique (السيدة الإفريقية, Basilica of Our Lady of Africa) was inaugurated in 1872, after 14 years of construction. It is located on the north side of Algiers, on a 124 m (407 ft) cliff the overlooks the Bay of Algiers.
- The church of the Holy Trinity was built in 1870. it is located at the southern end of the Rue d'Isly, not far from the site where the Fort Bab Azoun once stood. The museum exhibits ancient sculptures and mosaics that were found in archaeological digs in Algeria. It also has an exhibition of medals and old Algerian money.
- The Palais des Rais (قصر الرياس) is also known as Bastion 23. The building is the last surviving quarter (houma) of the lower Casbah. It consists of 3 palaces and 6 houses and the oldest parts date from 1576. Construction was started by Dey Ramdhan Pacha and it is located in the lower Casbah in the Bab El Oued neighborhood.
- The Villa Abd-el-Tif is also known as la Villa Medicis Algérienne. It is a Moorish villa that was used as a residence for the laureates of the Abd-el-Tif prize. It was abandoned after the independence of Algeria. In 2008, it was restored and nowadays it is the headquarters of the Agence Algérienne pour le Rayonnement Culturel (AARC).
- Algiers' skyline is dominated by Maqam Echahid, or Makam el Chahid, (مقام الشهيد, Martyrs' Monument), erected in 1982 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the country's independence. It represents everything the Algerian people have struggled for. There is an eternal flame guarded by two soldiers and the views over the city are magnificent.
The monument is at the center of Martyrs Square (Sahat ech-Chouhada, ساحة الشهداء). - The Place of the Emir Abdelkader was formerly called Bugeaud. It commemorates the emir Abd El-Kader, who lead the resistance against the French conquest of Algeria.
- The Culture Palace Moufdi Zakaria.
- The Bibliothèque nationale d'Algérie (المكتبة الوطنيّة الجزائريّة, National Library of Algeria) was originally established in 1853. A new building was constructed in the 1990s in the district of El Hamma.
- The El-Hamma botanic gardens, or Jardin d'Essai (Garden of Test) is located to the east of Algiers. It is home to a variety of exotic plants and gardens. It was first opened in 1832.
- Algiers Opera House.
- The Algerian National Theater Mahieddine Bachtarzi.
- Algerian Admiralty Museum.
- The Army Museum.
- The Central Military Museum is adjacent to Maqam Echahid (Martyrs Memorial).
- The museum of El-mathaf El-ouatani Bardo (المتحف الوطني باردو, Bardo National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography) is housed in a former Moorish villa. The museum was opened in 1927.
- In the Jihad Museum displays relate to the war of independence (all labels are in Arabic here).
- One of the best preserved Turkish palaces is at number 9 on Rue Mohammed Akli Malek. It houses the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions.
- The National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Art.
- The National Museum of Fine Arts.
- The National Museum of Miniatures, Illumination and Calligraphy is located inside of Dar Mustapha Pacha.
- The Palais du Peuple is the former residence of the French governor.
- There are interesting Roman ruins at about 65 km west of the city near Tipasa.
There are not many cheap places to stay in Algiers, but if you look around a lot you might find a bargain. The best food-places are those situated in the small streets between Rue Larbi Ben M'Hidi and Rue Abane Ramdane. You can get anything from couscous to chips.
The better shops are on the main road, Rue Larbi Ben M'Hidi, on the northern side of the post office. Riadh El-Feth is a shopping center and art gallery. The water-front of Algiers is built in various levels and Ferry-offices and the train station are located there, close to the post office. The bus station is more to the south.
Algiers is located in the north-central portion of Algeria.
; "Image 1 - Algiers ©Sid Ahmed Saoud [207kB]")
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; "Image 3 - Maqam Echahid ©Kamel Bouziane [51kB]")
; "Image 4 - Algiers ©Abderrahmane Chablaoui [126kB]")
; "Image 5 - Basilica ©Abderrahmane Chablaoui [101kB]")
; "Image 6 - Algiers ©Salah Eddine Haddad [79kB]")
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; "Image 8 - Algiers ©Mezidi Zineb [205kB]")
; "Image 9 - Clock Tower ©Salah Eddine Haddad [69kB]")
; "Image 10 - Edge of Sea ©Saidani Moussaab [115kB]")
; "Image 11 - Mosque ©Salah Eddine Haddad [181kB]")
; "Image 12 - Algiers ©Abderrahmane Chablaoui
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