Algiers history

The city of Algiers, the capital and heart of the country bearing the same name, is a place where history comes alive at every step. Its past, rooted thousands of years deep, represents an amazing kaleidoscope of civilisations — from the Phoenicians and Romans to Berber dynasties and the Ottomans, each leaving its unique mark on the architecture and culture of this Mediterranean metropolis.

The history of the city began over three thousand years ago when Phoenician seafarers founded the trading settlement of Icosium here. Later, under the rule of the Roman Empire, it turned into a prosperous Romanised centre. However, the city acquired its modern name, Al-Jaza'ir, which translates from Arabic as "The Islands", in the 10th century. This name, given by the Berber Zirid dynasty, refers to the small islands off the coast that eventually became part of the mainland.

A key role in the development of Algiers was played by its strategic location in a convenient bay of the Mediterranean Sea, making it an ideal port for trade between Africa and Europe. In the 16th century, the city became part of the Ottoman Empire, transforming into its most important outpost and centre of naval power in the region. It was during this period that the famous Casbah was built — the old city, which still preserves the atmosphere of a medieval eastern metropolis today.

Throughout the centuries, Algiers remained an important political and commercial hub, which defined its multifaceted appearance. Today, it is a modern city where Arab, Berber, Ottoman, and European traditions are closely intertwined, creating a unique atmosphere that attracts travellers from all over the world.

Key Milestones in the History of Algiers

The history of the city of Algiers is a rich chronicle of rises and falls, changes of civilisations and cultures that have left their mark on its appearance. From an ancient Phoenician port to a modern capital, the city has traversed a long and eventful path.

• 4th Century BC — Phoenicians found the trading settlement of Icosium on the site of the modern city, which becomes part of the Carthaginian sphere of influence.
• 1st Century BC — The city becomes part of the Roman Empire after the fall of the Numidian Kingdom, gradually becoming Romanised and developing as a port centre.
• 429 — Vandal tribes seize the coastal territories of North Africa, including Icosium, ending Roman rule.
• 6th Century — The Byzantine Empire reconquers the region from the Vandals, though its control over inland territories remains weak.
• 944 — Bologhine ibn Ziri, founder of the Berber Zirid dynasty, establishes a new city on the ruins of Icosium called Al-Jaza'ir Beni Meghanna, from which the modern name "Algiers" is derived.
• 1516 — The city comes under the control of the Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa and becomes a vital base for the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean.
• 1711 — The local ruler (Dey) Baba Ali expels the Turkish Pasha, and Algiers gains de facto independence from the Ottoman Empire, although it remains a nominal vassal.
• 5 July 1830 — French troops invade Algiers and capture the city, marking the beginning of a 132-year period of French colonial rule.
• 1954–1962 — The War of Independence unfolds in the city and country, during which Algiers becomes a centre for both the revolutionary movement and French counter-insurgency operations.
• 5 July 1962 — Algeria officially gains independence from France, and the city of Algiers becomes the capital of the new sovereign state.
• 1992 — The Casbah, the old part of the city, is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique Islamic architecture and historical significance.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The development of the city of Algiers is inextricably linked to its role as the main "gateway" to North Africa. As the capital and economic heart of the nation of Algeria, the metropolis has come a long way from a small trading post to a modern industrial and cultural hub of the region. Each era brought its own urban planning and economic changes, shaping the unique multi-layered appearance of the city.

• Establishment of a Maritime Trade Hub (Antiquity). The transformation of the Phoenician settlement of Icosium into a Roman port laid the foundation for the city's economic specialisation. It was then that Algiers' role as a key point for transit trade between the African continent and Europe was formed, defining its destiny for millennia to come.
• Formation of the Islamic Urban Core (10th–11th Centuries). The founding of the city of Al-Jaza'ir by the Zirid dynasty was a cultural turning point. During this period, the traditional structure of the medina with its markets (souks) and mosques was established, turning the city into a centre of Arab-Berber culture and craftsmanship.
• Ottoman Flourishing and Fortification (16th–18th Centuries). Becoming the capital of the regency, the city experienced a powerful economic boom due to maritime affairs. This was a time of active construction: palaces, aqueducts, and the famous Casbah citadel were erected. The city turned into an impregnable fortress and one of the wealthiest ports in the Mediterranean.
• European Urbanisation and Port Modernisation (19th – Early 20th Century). The colonial period brought radical urban planning changes. The construction of wide boulevards, railways, and a modern deep-water port allowed the city to integrate into the global industrial economy and created a unique architectural contrast between the old and new city.
• Industrialisation and Capital Status (Second Half of the 20th Century). After gaining independence, Algiers became the administrative and political centre of a sovereign nation. This stage was marked by rapid population growth, the creation of industrial zones on the outskirts, and the development of national cultural institutions such as universities and museums.
• Infrastructure Mega-projects (21st Century). The modern stage of development is characterised by solving the transport and logistical challenges of the metropolis. The launch of the metro, the expansion of the international airport, and the construction of the Great Mosque symbolise the city's aspiration to strengthen its status as a modern global centre with a developed economy and tourism sector.

The architectural appearance of Algiers is a living illustration of its rich and multi-layered history. The city represents a unique combination of traditional Islamic buildings, majestic European architecture, and modern urban planning solutions, where each style reflects a specific era in the capital's development.

Medieval and Ottoman Architecture: The Heart of the Casbah

The historical core of the city is the Casbah — an ancient fortress recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architecture, formed mainly during the Ottoman period (16th-19th centuries), is a classic example of traditional Arab-Islamic urban planning.

• Style: Moorish and Ottoman. Characterised by dense construction, where houses closely adjoin one another.
• Features: A labyrinth of narrow, winding streets resembling canyons, inner courtyards hidden behind blank walls, and arched passageways between buildings. Inside the Casbah, ancient mosques such as Djamaa al-Djedid and Ketchaoua, as well as Ottoman palaces, have been preserved.
• Urban Planning: The organisation of space is subject to principles of privacy and protection from the heat, creating a self-contained and distinctive "city within a city".

French Colonial Period: European Look and "Moresque" Style

From 1830, the period of French rule began, which radically changed the face of Algiers. Next to the old Casbah, a new, European city was built with a completely different urban planning logic.

• Styles: Neoclassicism, Baroque, Haussmannisation (analogous to the reconstruction of Paris by Baron Haussmann), and the unique Neo-Moorish style (Moresque).
• Features: Wide boulevards, spacious squares, and multi-storey apartment buildings with cast-iron balconies appeared. The brightest example of the Moresque style, combining European structures with Eastern decorative elements, is the Main Post Office (Grande Poste d'Alger).
• Urban Planning: Unlike the chaotic Casbah, the new city was built according to a clear plan with straight streets and blocks, which created the architectural contrast characteristic of Algiers.

Architecture of Independence: Modernism and Contemporary Projects

After gaining independence in 1962, the city entered a new phase of development, marked by rapid population growth and the need for large-scale construction.

• Styles: Modernism (including Brutalism) and contemporary architecture. In the 1960s and 70s, functional residential complexes and public buildings were actively erected, often inspired by the ideas of Le Corbusier.
• Iconic Landmarks: In the modern era, the city's skyline has been complemented by iconic structures. Among them are the Martyrs' Memorial (Maqam Echahid), symbolising the struggle for independence, and the grandiose Great Mosque of Algiers (Djamaa el Djazaïr), opened in the 21st century and boasting the tallest minaret in the world.
• Urban Planning: Modern development is aimed at expanding the city, building new transport arteries, including the metro, and creating new residential and business districts on the outskirts.

Distinguished Personalities in the History of Algiers

Throughout its centuries-old history, the city of Algiers has been the birthplace or temporary home for many prominent figures who left a mark on culture, politics, and science. Their destinies reflect the complex and multifaceted path of the capital's development.

• Hayreddin Barbarossa (c. 1478–1546) — Ottoman admiral and corsair who became the first ruler of Ottoman Algiers. It was he who turned the city into a powerful naval base and an impregnable fortress, laying the foundations of its power in the Mediterranean for several centuries.
• Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) — The world-renowned Spanish writer, author of "Don Quixote". Although he was not a resident of the city by choice, Cervantes spent five years in captivity in Algiers (1575–1580), and this experience was reflected in his works, particularly in the play "The Traffic of Algiers".
• Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) — A distinguished French composer, pianist, and organist. He spent the last years of his life in Algiers, where he passed away. Inspired by the local culture, he wrote several works here, including the "Africa" fantasy and the Fifth Piano Concerto, known as "The Egyptian".
• Daniel Auteuil (born 1950) — A popular French theatre and film actor, winner of numerous awards, including the César Award. He was born in the city of Algiers into a family of opera singers.
• Albert Camus (1913–1960) — French writer and philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. Although he was not born in the city itself but in its vicinity, Camus grew up and received his education in Algiers. The atmosphere of the city and its social contrasts had a huge influence on all his work, especially on such pieces as "The Stranger" and "The Plague".
• Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) — One of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, founder of deconstruction. Born in the suburb of Algiers, El Biar, into a Jewish family, he spent his childhood and youth here, which influenced his philosophical views.
• Sofia Boutella (born 1982) — Algerian and French actress, dancer, and model who has gained international fame. She was born in the capital's Bab El Oued district and lived in Algiers until the age of 10, after which her family moved to France.