The drop
Beneath the bridge.
Yelles — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY 4.0 · SamAnis2020 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mohameddhiamerazka — CC BY-SA 4.0
The symbol of Constantine, the city of suspended bridges, a suspension bridge for walkers and cars opened in 1912, stretching 164 metres across the Rhumel River gorge some 175 metres above the river, for years among the highest bridges in the world. Constantine stands on a rocky plateau ringed by a deep gorge cut by the Rhumel, so over the centuries bridges have linked the old town to its surroundings, until the city had seven or more and became known as the city of suspended bridges. Walking across Sidi M'Cid is unforgettable: the deck sways slightly with the wind and traffic, and looking down reveals a sheer drop between vertical rock walls, with views of the city clinging to the edge of the cliff and of other bridges. Crossing is free at any time, and the best view of the whole bridge is from the war memorial on the plateau opposite. For those afraid of heights, the view from either end is enough.
Beneath the bridge.
On the cliff.
From the memorial.
Over the Rhumel gorge, north of the old town, Constantine
War Memorial and Gorge ViewpointConstantine's finest viewpoint, on a high plateau north of the old town, where a4 minutes walk
Palace of Ahmed BeyA masterpiece of Ottoman architecture in eastern Algeria, a palace built by El H7 minutes walk
Sidi Rached ViaductA huge stone viaduct of successive arches crossing the Rhumel gorge south of the14 minutes walk4.5It stands on a plateau ringed by a deep gorge, crossed by many bridges, the best known Sidi M'Cid.