Elephants crossing the Zambezi river in Mana Pools National Park world heritage site, Zimbabwe

The great mosque in the Old Towns of Djenne world heritage site, Mali

Black and white ruffed lemur, Rainforests of the Atsinanana world heritage site, Madagascar

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(clockwise from top left: Grauer's gorilla (Kahuzi-Biega); Rock-hewn church (Lalibela); Hominid skull (Ethiopia); Protea flower (Cape Floral Region)

Kasbah of Algiers - Algeria

Map showing the location of the Kasbah of Algiers UNESCO world heritage site, Algeria (North Africa)

Website Category: Fortified Cities of the Maghreb

Area: 0.6 km²

Inscribed: 1992

Criteria: (ii) interchange of values (v) interaction with the environment

Location and Values: The Kasbah of Algiers is at the heart of the city of Algiers, located on a huge crescent bay hemmed in by steep hills and facing north over the Mediterranean. The Kasbah spreads up a hillside above the port to a hill-top citadel, a warren of narrow winding alleys and densely packed white-washed houses.

It was mostly built between the 16^th and 18^th centuries during a period of allegiance to the Ottoman sultan. The city’s wealth was derived from piracy and from its position at the trailhead of the trans-Saharan caravans. By the end of the 18^th century it had grown into a flourishing, well-fortified city of some 100,000 people. Many of the prominent buildings – mosques and grand mansions of the wealthy classes from the Ottoman period - have survived, and are undergoing restoration.

Slideshow of the Kasbah Of Algiers:

Google Earth View: To view satellite imagery of the Kasbah of Algiers on Google Earth, click here. This opens a new window, so when you are finished, just close the Google Earth page and you will be straight back here to continue browsing. Unfortunately the images of Algiers are not very sharp so its only really possible to get an overall impression of the Kasbah’s situation within the wider contemporary landscape

Links to other places featuring fortified cities of the Maghreb: Beni Hammad I Fez I Marrakech I Meknes I Tetouan I Tunis I Kerkuane I Kairouan I Sousse

Other Links: Official UNESCO Site Details

Islamic decoration at the entrance to the Mosque Ketchaoua in the Kasbah of Algiers UNESCO world heritage site, Algeria (North Africa) The Djamaa El Djedid (Mosque of the Fisherman) stands on the Place Des Martyrs in the Kasbah of Algiers UNESCO world heritage site, Algeria (North Africa) Steep narrow alleyways characterise the Kasbah of Algiers UNESCO world heritage site, Algeria (North Africa) Grand colonial buildings replaced many of the Ottoman-era structures when the French re-developed the waterfront and lower parts of the Kasbah of Algiers UNESCO world heritage site, Algeria (North Africa)