Bejaia history

Ancient Roots: From Phoenicians to Romans

The history of Bejaia is rooted in deep antiquity, when the first trading posts appeared on these shores. Initially, the site was used by the Phoenicians as a small port for exchanging goods with the local population. However, the Roman period is generally considered the official foundation of the city.

At the end of the 1st century BC, Emperor Augustus founded a colony here named Saldae. The city was created for veterans of the Roman army and quickly became an important outpost of the empire in North Africa, receiving the status of a municipium.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small settlement into a prosperous ancient city was facilitated by a unique combination of natural and strategic conditions:

• Geography: The city is located in a vast natural bay, protected from winds by Mount Gouraya. This made it an ideal place for ships to anchor in any weather.
• Defensibility: The combination of the sea and mountainous terrain made it easy to control the approaches to the city and protect it from raids.
• Strategic Importance: Saldae served as a vital link in the chain of Roman fortifications, ensuring control over the Kabylia region.

Early Economy and Cultural Features

Already in the early stages of its existence, the future Bejaia declared itself as an important economic center. Thanks to the fertile lands in the vicinity, the city actively exported grain and olive oil to Rome. The port served as a crossing point for trade routes connecting the interior regions of Africa with the Mediterranean.

The cultural environment of the early city was formed at the intersection of local Berber traditions and Roman civilization. Aqueducts, thermal baths, and temples were built here, fragments of which are found by archaeologists, and mosaics of that period testify to the high standard of living and artistic mastery of the first citizens.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Bejaia is rich in events reflecting the shift of civilizations and the cultural influence of various eras.

• 26 BC — Emperor Augustus establishes the Roman colony of Saldae, populating it with legion veterans.
• 429 — The city is captured by the Vandals led by Genseric, becoming part of their kingdom in North Africa.
• 534 — The Byzantine general Belisarius reconquers the city, returning it to the sphere of influence of the Eastern Roman Empire.
• 1067 — Sultan An-Nasir of the Hammadid dynasty moves the capital here and names the city En-Nasiria, turning it into a thriving center.
• 12th Century — The young Leonardo Fibonacci lives in the city and studies Arabic mathematics; he later popularizes Arabic numerals in Europe.
• 1510 — The Spanish Armada under the command of Pedro Navarro captures the port, establishing control over the strategic harbor.
• 1555 — The Ottoman Beylerbey Salah Rais expels the Spanish garrison, annexing Bejaia to the domains of the Ottoman Empire.
• 1833 — French troops occupy the city, incorporating it into France's colonial possessions in Algeria.
• 1956 — The historic Soummam Congress takes place in the region (Soummam Valley), becoming a turning point in organizing the struggle for the country's independence.
• 1962 — After the proclamation of Algeria's independence, Bejaia enters a new era as an important port and industrial center of the sovereign state.

Stages of City Development and Transformation

Bejaia has journeyed from an ancient port to a modern industrial center. Each era left its mark on the city's architecture, economy, and cultural code. Below are the key milestones that defined the modern appearance of the region:

• Capital Flourishing of the Hammadids (11th Century)

  Becoming the capital of the Hammadid dynasty under the name En-Nasiria, the city experienced an unprecedented urban planning boom. Luxurious palaces, public baths, and a complex water supply system were erected. During this period, Bejaia turned into an intellectual center of the Maghreb, where scholars, theologians, and artisans flocked.

• Global Export and "Light" for Europe (12th–14th Centuries)

  The economic importance of the city went beyond the region thanks to the export of high-quality beeswax. Trade ties were so strong that the French word bougie (candle) originated from the city's name. This cemented Bejaia's status as an important trading partner for European powers.

• Scientific Exchange and Mathematical Revolution (12th Century)

  The city played a key role in world science as the place of education for Leonardo Fibonacci. The cultural openness of local merchants and scholars allowed the transfer of the Indo-Arabic numeral system to Europe, which became the foundation for the development of Western mathematics and commerce.

• Era of Fortification (16th–18th Centuries)

  During the period of struggle between the Spanish Empire and the Ottoman Porte, the urban planning vector shifted to defense. Powerful citadels, such as the Casbah and Fort Moussa, were built and strengthened. The city transformed from an open trading polis into a strategic military bastion controlling the coast.

• Infrastructure Modernization (19th–20th Centuries)

  In the colonial period, a radical restructuring of the urban environment took place. A modern deep-water port was created, a railway linking the coast with the interior regions was laid, and European-style quarters were built, forming a new administrative center.

• Industrialization and Oil Hub Status (since 1959)

  The completion of the oil pipeline from Hassi Messaoud forever changed the city's economy. Bejaia became Algeria's most important oil terminal on the Mediterranean Sea, which led to the development of related industries and rapid population growth.

Architectural Appearance: A Crossroads of Civilizations

The architecture of Bejaia represents a unique palimpsest, where features of antiquity, medieval Islamic architecture, and European classicism appear through modern facades. The urban fabric of the city is clearly divided into historical layers, each corresponding to a specific era of rule.

The Hammadid Era and the Middle Ages

The period of the city's flourishing as the capital of the Hammadid dynasty (11th–12th centuries) left behind examples of traditional Maghreb architecture. This style is characterized by massive walls, arched openings, and the use of local stone.

• Bab el-Fouka (Fouka Gate): One of the main symbols of the city. These gates with a characteristic pointed arch were built in the 11th century and served as the main entrance to the city from the sea. It is a vivid example of defensive architecture of that era, preserving the spirit of old En-Nasiria.
• Casbah (Citadel): A fortress whose walls remember several civilizations. Although its appearance was changed by the Spaniards and Ottomans, it is based on Berber and Arab fortification concepts.

Military Architecture: Spanish and Ottoman Traces

From the 16th to the 19th century, the development of the city was dictated by the need for defense. Architecture was dominated by utility, power, and strategic location. Stylistically, this is severe military architecture with thick bastions.

• Fort Moussa: Erected by the Spaniards in the 16th century on the ruins of a Hammadid palace, this fort (later known as Fort Barral) combines elements of European Renaissance fortification with subsequent Ottoman modifications.
• Fort Gouraya: Although the current structure was largely rebuilt by the French, the site itself on the mountain peak has been used as an observation point for centuries. It is a dominant feature forming the city's silhouette.

Colonial Period: French Classicism and Eclecticism

With the arrival of the French in the 19th century, the lower part of the city adjacent to the port was completely rebuilt. A "European City" was formed here with a regular layout, wide boulevards, and buildings reminiscent of the quarters of Marseille or Nice.

• Place du 1er Novembre (formerly Place Gueydon): The heart of colonial Bejaia. The architectural ensemble of the square is executed in the style of eclecticism and neoclassicism. Buildings with high windows, wrought-iron balconies, and arcades face the sea, creating the famous "Balcony of Bejaia".
• Municipality Building and Bank: Examples of administrative architecture from the early 20th century, demonstrating the strictness of lines and monumentality characteristic of European urban planning of that time.

Modern Development

Modern Bejaia is expanding through new residential districts and university campuses, where functionalism and modernism prevail. However, the historical center (Medina) and the colonial core remain the main points of attraction, creating a unique contrast between the narrow winding streets of the upper city and the spacious embankments of the port.

Distinguished Personalities of Bejaia

Bejaia's rich past as a capital and scientific center attracted many brilliant minds. The destinies of rulers, world-renowned scholars, and artists are linked to the city.

• An-Nasir ibn Alnas (11th Century) — Sultan of the Hammadid Dynasty
  Founder of the city's golden age. He moved the state capital from the mountain fortress of Qalaat Beni Hammad to the coast, to Bejaia. He turned the city into an impregnable citadel and a vital center of science and trade in the Mediterranean.
• Leonardo Fibonacci (c. 1170–1250) — Italian Mathematician
  Lived in Bejaia in his youth, where his father worked as a customs official for the Republic of Pisa. It was here that Leonardo studied under local mathematicians and became acquainted with the Indo-Arabic numeral system, which he later introduced to Europe, forever changing Western science.
• Abu Madyan (Sidi Boumediene) (1126–1198) — Prominent Sufi Mystic and Poet
  The patron saint of Tlemcen, who spent a significant part of his life in Bejaia. Here he taught and preached, gathering many followers around him. His works had a tremendous influence on the development of spiritual thought in the Maghreb.
• Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) — Historian, Sociologist, and Philosopher
  Author of the famous "Muqaddimah". In 1365, he arrived in Bejaia to take the post of Hajib (Prime Minister) at the court of the local ruler. He combined state service with teaching at the Great Mosque of the Casbah.
• Ramon Llull (1232–1315) — Catalan Philosopher, Writer, and Missionary
  Repeatedly visited the city to conduct interreligious debates with local Ulema (theologians). In Bejaia, he wrote several of his works, and it was here, according to tradition, that he ended his life's journey (according to another version, he died on a ship on the way home).
• Manuel Teixeira Gomes (1860–1941) — Writer and 7th President of Portugal
  A political figure who, after resigning, chose Bejaia as his place of voluntary exile. He lived in the city for the last 10 years of his life, enjoying the peace and local culture. One of the city squares is named in his honor.
• Cheikh Sadek El-Bejaoui (1907–1995) — Musician and Composer
  Guardian of the traditions of Andalusian music and the Hawzi style. He founded a music conservatory in Bejaia and made an invaluable contribution to preserving the region's cultural heritage.
• Soraya Haddad (born 1984) — Judoka
  A native of the region who became a bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. She is one of the most titled athletes in the history of Algeria and the pride of local sports.