The City of Algiers is nicknamed "Alger la Blanch" or "Algiers the White" due to the many shining white buildings sloping upward from the sea. The Port of Algiers contains many things to see and do, including several museums, historic buildings from ancient days, and the Casbah quarter made famous in the 1938 movie. Civil and political strive in the Port of Algiers have discouraged tourism and cruise travel to the city over the past decade; however, there are a few cruise ships that visit the port.
Located on the Mediterranean coast, the climate in the Port of Algiers is as varied as its geography. Rain does not come at all, or it comes in torrents that flood large areas but evaporate quickly. The climate is generally pleasant, despite quick changes. Temperatures range from an average low of 10 ° C (50 ° F) in January to an average high of 24 ° C (75 ° F) in July and August.
The Port of Algiers' most famous attraction is the Casbah. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992, the Casbah is the Port of Algiers' ancient 17th Century city. It contains Algiers' oldest El Kebir Mosque, the 1660 El Djedid Mosque, and the 1794 Ketchaoua Mosque. Most Arabic cities in North Africa have a casbah, which means citadel. In the Port of Algiers, the Casbah was established on the old Roman site of Icosium. The small city was built on a hillside, growing toward the sea. Its labyrinth of narrow lanes and dead-end alleys may be confusing to the uninitiated. The line "Come with me to the Casbah," from the movie Algiers, has become a standard in English-speaking countries.
The Port of Algiers' Bardo Museum contains a major collection of Algerian indigenous artifacts housed in a wonderful Moorish mansion. Pre-historic and ethnographic exhibits include jewelry, costumes, weaponry, costumes, and tin helmets. The Bardo contains a world-famous collection of mosaics, most of them from the 2nd and 4th Centuries. The architecture and interior décor of the building itself is breathtaking.
The National Museum of Antiquities in the Port of Algiers offers Roman glasswork and sculptures as well as a beautiful collection of Islamic art and antique mosaics. The exhibits explore Algeria's past generations with relics and artifacts from the ancient past and from towns and cities across the country. Visitors will enjoy ivory carvings, collections of ancient coins, and objects related to the totemic warriors of the Libyan period.
Travelers who want to visit the Port of Algiers by sea can find a list of scheduled cruises on the Cruise Compete website.
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