Tlemcen

Tlemcen is a city in north western Algeria with an actual population of approximately 200,000 people.  It is located sufficiently inland to avoid the humidity of the coast but near enough to receive cooling sea breezes in summer. 



The City of Tlemcen - View from the Observatory




Until the independence from France in 1962, Tlemcen was a vacation spot and retreat for French settlers in Algeria, who found it to be far more temperate than Oran or Algiers.



Some of the Ornate Architecture in Tlemcen
 

The city boasts a prosperous leather, carpet, and textile industry, and it exports these goods to many parts of Algeria and neighbouring countries.  Centuries of a rich history and culture have made Tlemcen the centre of a unique blend of music, art and architecture.  The Great Mosque at Tlemcen was completed in 1136 and is said to be the most remarkable remaining example of Almoravid architecture.


Shady Street in Tlemcen

Tlemcen was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century as a military outpost. During the Middle Ages, Tlemcen served as a trading city connecting the "coastal" route across the Maghreb with the trans-Saharan caravan routes.  It also housed a European trading centre which connected African and European merchants.  At the peak of its success, in the first half of the fourteenth century, the city became the principal intellectual centre of the central Maghreb.  Tlemcen has more buildings dating from the 12th to the 15th century than any other town in Algeria. 

 

Located in Tlemcen itself, the ruins of the Mansourah are a vestige of an ancient city dating back to the thirteenth century.  Today only partial ruins of this magnificent citadel stand and this place has become one of the main tourist attractions of the city.  Walking through this historic site gives you a real feeling of its glorious past history.  



The Entrance of the Mansourah Citadel



The central tower at the Ruins of the Mansourah Citadel



The Walls of the Mansourah Citadel
 

During the early years of the French occupation, a broad coalition of natives at Tlemcen continued to resist the latest invaders and the great Berber leader Abd el Kader, fought with incredible valour.  His defeat in 1844 temporarily ended the dream of an independent Algeria.



A more recent building, the Abou Bekr Belkaid university has eight faculties and ranks among one of the best in the country.  Long considered as the centre for the Arts and Culture, the university attracts a large number of students from all over the country.   



The Entrance of the Tlemcen University
 

The Plateau Lalla Setti rises over 700 feet to the south of Tlemcen and overlooks the whole city.  The architecture, the view of the city below and the many fountains all make this place a must to visit.   





The Tlemcen Observatory tower at the Plateau Lalla Setti

 

Cable Car Arriving at the Observatory





 

 

 



 



 

 









 

 

 



 



 













 



 



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People

I have selected some of the images I have taken during my travels to Algeria.  I love going about in the streets, watching people going about their daily lives.  My camera is always ready whenever someone catches my attention.

Everywhere I go, I am always greeted with a smile and a ready willingness to pose for me and let me take a photo.  To all these wonderful people, my gratitude and special thanks.

I took this photo in Ain-el-Turck at lunchtime.  These 3 workers were taking a break and were eating some Calentica served on bread as a sandwich.  Calentica is a popular food that I have described in the Food section of the blog posts on Algeria.

3 workers at Lunchtime

This lady was resting under the shade of a tree at a popular tourist lookout called "Bel Horizon".  It was lunchtime on a hot autumn day.

A Lady by the Shade of a Tree

You can see many of these merchants in the streets of Oran.  In this case, this fellow was selling assorted nuts such as peanuts, almonds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds etc...  Note the inventive way this fellow has set up his platform; and old pram, a wooden plank, some boxes and his produce and he's got his business going. 

A Street Merchant

I was taken by this man sitting by a shady street.  His face and eyes were so peaceful and gentle and he was quite happy to let me take his photo.

A wise Man

This elderly gentleman was resting near what used to be the picture theatre in Mers-el-Kébir.  These days, it is a government building.

Elderly Gentleman  Resting

The Kristel market is one of my favourite places where I have made and enjoy catching up with a number of friends I now have there.  

Farmers and their Produce at the Kristel market
 

This little boy was standing at the window in his house and was quite happy to pose for me. 

Hello Little Man

I couldn't resist the opportunity to take this photo at the main entrance of the El Mansourah citadel.  The ladies were most obliging and even the horse co-operated in this instance.

Ladies by the Entrance of the Ruins of El Mansourah

I was visiting the house where the nuns of Mer-el-Kébir used to live when this little cutie suddenly came out of one of the rooms.  Her smile and genuine happiness did it for me.

Little Cutie

I took this shot near a market in Oran.  He was sitting there and was more than happy to let me play with my camera.

Man Sitting

These 4 men were watching the world go by at a village near Mers-el-Kébir called El Ançor. 
Whenever they can, locals spend a good part of the day talking and exchanging ideas.  This practice reinforces the bonds between them and keeps the true value of Life foremost in their mind.

Men at the Town Square

These 2 men were enjoying a coffee break in Tlemcen.  As well as sweet Mint tea, a great deal of coffee is consumed every day by the local population.

Men enjoying a Coffee Break

This shot was taken in Oran along the boulevard Front de Mer facing the port of Oran.

Men Exchanging Ideas

Each time I travel to Algeria, I go and visit a family who now lives in the house where I grew up when I was a boy prior to leaving the country to go to France.  Mother and daughter are standing in what used to be my parents' bedroom.

The Family who lives in the Apartment where I Grew up

The year I visited my primary school, the building was closed for holidays.  The cleaners were however inside and were quite happy to open for me and let me visit the place.  I hadn't seen this place for nearly half a century but all my childhood memories were still there.  As a bonus, they agreed to pose for me; thank you ladies for a very special moment. 

The Primary School Cleaning Ladies

These young girls were walking in the streets of Mers-el-Kébir and were curious to know who I was and what I was doing in their part of the world.  There again, I had to take a shot.

Three Young Girls

These 2 young men were caught in a traffic jam as I was walking by in one of the main streets in Oran.  They called out and simply wanted to welcome me in their country.  Their exuberance caught my attention and the camera did the rest. 

Welcoming Smiles from the Locals

These 2 young boys were standing in front of the mosque at Mers-el-Kébir; formerly the catholic church of the village where I had been an altar boy for 8 years.  I stood in this very spot countless times while I lived there and decided it was worth a shot. 

Young Boys by the Mosque

The youth population of Algeria is very high and wherever you go, young people can be seen everywhere.  They spend most of their time at school and when school is over, the street is their playing ground.  No computers, I pads and other electronic devices to occupy their day but plenty of physical exercise and fresh air.  Obesity is practically non-existent and just take a look at those smiles !!!  

Young Boys in the street

This young girl kept watching me by the door of her house as I walked down her street in Mers-el-Kébir.  She gratefully posed for the camera.

Young Girl at the Door

This young man was transporting all sorts of things on his cart with his donkey.  I loved the scarves around its head and when I asked him the reason for these, he simply replied that he thought it looked good.  I agreed with him and took the photo.

Young Man and his Donkey