White lanes
On the hill.
Firaspict — CC BY-SA 4.0 · toufik Lerari — CC BY-SA 2.0 · MohAdm — CC BY-SA 4.0 · RomanDeckert — CC BY-SA 4.0
The old city of Algiers and its historic heart, its tightly packed white houses and narrow lanes stepping down a steep hill above the port, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 as a unique example of a Mediterranean Islamic city. The Casbah reached its height in the Ottoman era as the seat of the Deys, when palaces, mosques, baths and courtyard houses with columns and decorated tiles were built, among the best known the Dar Aziza palace, the Mustapha Pacha palace, the Palace of the Raïs on the sea and the Dey's citadel at the top of the hill. The Casbah's lanes and winding stairs are a world of their own, with craftsmen, popular cafés and carved wooden doors, and they were the stage for major events of the Algerian war of independence. Many old houses need restoration, and revival work is ongoing. Wandering the Casbah is free, and the restored palaces open for token fees. A local guide is recommended, as the lanes are tangled and steep, and comfortable shoes are a must.
On the hill.
An Ottoman palace.
At the top.
The hill above the port, central Algiers
It is recommended, as the lanes are tangled and steep and a local guide knows the palaces and stories.
