Casbah of Algiers, Ancient medina quarter in Algiers, Algeria.
The Casbah is an ancient medina quarter in Algiers, Algeria, spreading over steep slopes and made up of white houses with flat roofs and narrow winding lanes. The entire quarter sits on a hillside that descends toward the Mediterranean, with terraced buildings stacked one above another.
Construction of this district began in the early 16th century under Ottoman rule, when Algiers became an important fortress and seaport in the Mediterranean. Later generations added more houses and streets while keeping and expanding the existing urban fabric.
The name derives from qasaba, meaning fortress or citadel, though residents now use it to describe the entire old town where families have lived for generations. Local craftspeople work in small workshops making copper goods and embroidery, while women often decorate doors and balconies with colorful fabrics.
Visitors should come in the morning when the lanes are less crowded and the light falls on the white architecture. Comfortable shoes are important, as the streets are steep and often made of uneven cobblestones or worn steps.
Many houses have small fountains or basins in their courtyards that once helped cool the air and collect rainwater. These courtyards are often invisible from the outside, hidden behind plain facades and forming private retreats for residents.
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