Kasbah of Algiers

Site visited January 2014. I’ve always been intrigued by the Kasbah of Algiers so I looked forward to visit it. I wanted to see if it lives up to its mysterious and sinister image.

The Kasbah is obviously very easy to visit when you are in Algiers. But is it that simple? Every travel guide I had read warned that the Kasbah is very dangerous place and can’t be visited on one’s own without a local guide or other protection.

In Algiers I asked the hotel receptionist what would be the best and safe way to visit the Kasbah. He said ”just go there - what is the problem”. He didn't understand why I asked about the safety. Next I tried to find a tourist info in order to get a guide. After a long searching someone on the street showed me the way to some kind of a tourist info yet it didn't look like one. I went to the desk and asked for a guide. Woman at the desk introduced me some ordinary looking old man with a shopping bag. She asked the man to walk with me in the Kasbah.

This nice old man said that he is born and raised in the Kasbah. I walked with him around the Kasbah about two hours. He showed me the house where he has born and we went to greet his brother and friends. The man also invited me to a cafe for a cup of tea where we …

My husband grew up in the Casbah and like generations before them, his family still live there so, I have visited many,many times.

As others have said, the area is in great disrepair. It is saddening to see a place so rich with history literally crumbling to the ground. However, despite the dilapidation there is something quite special about it: the narrow, winding alleys, the beautiful tiling, tiny shops that are wedged in everywhere, donkeys that collect rubbish, rooftops to sip afternoon coffee, the people....so many charming things that evoke thoughts of times long gone. Things move slowly but,I hope that eventually it will be restored to it's former glory.

I can’t think of any cultural WHS I have visited which has been in a worse condition than the Algiers Kasbah. Yet UNESCO seems remarkably indulgent towards it. Yes, the state of the site has been discussed on many occasions since its inscription in 1992 and “decisions” are reached calling upon Algeria to take some action but, on the ground there is little evidence of improvements and plenty of further deterioration! A strange aspect about this is that at the 2004/5/7/9 and 11 WHCs the site was discussed under the heading “Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger” – yet I can find no evidence that it has ever been on that list!

Large areas of housing have collapsed and, in places, complete avalanches down the hill on which the Kasbah is built, have created giant scars. An earthquake in 2003 was only a partial cause of this damage. A significant percentage of the other buildings are held up by wooden scaffolding – often stressed against the neighbouring building across the narrow passage thus creating an even more claustrophobic atmosphere than is normal in this labyrinth. Wherever a house has collapsed the area has become a rubbish dump. The authority’s unsuccessful answer to this has been to create “walls” of oil drums to keep people out!

The construction of a metro extension under the area has added to the problems. One station is to be directly under “Martyrs Square” …

I miss Algeria!! I lived in Algeria 1963-1967, as a high school student. I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Casbah. It has left an indelible impression on me. The timeless experience serves to open my heart to this day. What, 48 years later and I am a silver surfer reconnecting!! Thank you for having this site.