Yemma Gouraya, Mountain peak and cultural site in Béjaïa District, Algeria.
Yemma Gouraya is a mountain peak in Gouraya National Park near Béjaïa, rising 660 meters with views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding coastline. The slope features multiple hiking trails that guide visitors through different elevation zones and plant communities.
A Spanish fort was built on the summit during the 16th century and later modified by French forces in the 19th century. The site held religious significance with structures that shaped the area's past.
The name means Mother Gouraya in the local language, combining the Kabyle word for mother with a Berber term referring to moon followers. This connection to the land shapes how people in the region think about this mountain as a family landmark.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the hiking routes have varying difficulty levels and the slopes face direct sun. Early morning visits offer the most pleasant conditions and fewer people on the trails.
The summit holds remains of a religious shrine destroyed over 190 years ago that visitors can still observe today. This overlooked structure tells a story of devotion woven into the mountain itself.
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