Constantine - Culture

City in Algeria with 500,000 inhabitants. Situated in north eastern Algeria, Constantine is the centre of its region. Constantine is placed on a plateau at 640 metres above sea level. The city is framed by a deep ravine and has a dramatic appearance. The city is very picturesque with a number of bridges and a viaduct crossing the ravine. The economical base is the manufacturing of leather, wool and linen. Constantine is the centre of commercial activities and has Algeria and Tunisia as its markets.

Constantine has one university, the University of Constantine, which was founded in 1969. There are museums and important historical sites around the city.

The people of eastern Algeria must have felt unsafe when they made Constantine (Cirta Regia then) into the largest city of their region. Constantine can be found on the top of a gorge protecting the city on almost all sides. As so many other places in North Africa, the fortress and the city has been one and the same. Constantine got help from nature's side. The sights of today are spectacular, especially since this is a fairly big city.

The gorge cutting the edges of Constantine, can be crossed by one out of four bridges, like Pont Sidi M'Cid, as on the picture. But I'm sad to report that a serious environmental scheme is needed to turn Constantine into what it should be. The gorge serves to a large extent as a dustbin, and is heavily polluted by oil as well.

Be sure to visit the Gustave Mercier Museum (displays of ancient and modern art), the Ben-Badis Mosque, the Casbah, the Soumma Mausoleum at Khroub, the Arab Palace of Ahmed Bey, the ruins of the Antonian Roman aqueduct, the Roman city of Tiddis and the megalithic monuments and burial grounds at Djebel Mazala Salluste.

There is fairly little to see in Constantine itself. But the people are friendly. So forget all about finding landmarks, and enjoy people here. That is, when the political situation  in Algeria has changed.