Overview
A closer look at Kasbah of Algiers
The Kasbah of Algiers is located in the heart of the Algerian capital on a hill overlooking the sea. It was founded in the tenth century during the early Islamic period. It developed significantly during the Ottoman era from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. The Kasbah consists of narrow alleys, crowded houses, markets, and historic mosques. It is one of the most prominent examples of Maghrebi Islamic architecture with Ottoman influences. Its most important landmarks include Ketchaoua Mosque, the Great Mosque, and the palaces of the Ottoman rulers of Algiers. The Kasbah was a center of popular resistance during the French colonial period. Despite neglect, it still retains its architectural and cultural authenticity. The Kasbah is vibrant and charming despite modern changes. It was inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1992.