Constantine: The city of bridges!

Constantine, the city of bridges, gets its name for a reason, however it has much more to offer from diverse traditions to natural beauty and fascinating history.

Constantine was built on a plateau 640 meters above sea level which makes it a perfect spot for magical cinematic views, this city is a spectacular place where you can admire Devine’s creations and a destination to experience adventurous moments with friends and family.

History of Constantine

The ancient Constantine was one of Numidia’s most prominent towns and the home of the Massyli rulers. It reached its peak of wealth under Micipsa (2nd century BCE) and could supply an army of 10,000 cavalries and 20,000 infantry. Cirta (Constantine’s name in the past) was granted a Roman settlement during Julius Caesar’s rule and eventually served as the leader of a confederation of four Roman colonies on the North African coast. The city was destroyed during the Roman emperor Maxentius’ campaign against Alexander the Numidian usurper, and when it was rebuilt in 313 CE, it was renamed after its patron, Constantine I the Great. It escaped conquest during the Vandal invasion of Africa but was taken by the Arabs (7th century).

Despite systematic pillage, it remained affluent during the 12th century, and its commerce was wide enough to draw merchants from Pisa, Genoa, and Venice. Despite being regularly conquered and then lost by the Turks, it became the seat of a bey who was subject to Algiers’ dey. Salah Bey, who governed Constantine from 1770 until 1792, substantially enriched the city and built the majority of its present Muslim structures. Since he died in 1792, the ladies of the region have worn a black haik (a tentlike garment) in mourning instead of the white haik commonly seen across Algeria. Constantine declared Algiers’ independence from the dey in 1826.

The French attempted and failed to attack the city in 1836, but the following year they were able to seize it with another assault. During World War II, Constantine and the surrounding city of Sétif were significant command posts during the Allied war in North Africa from 1942 to 1943.

The people of Constantine

People in Constantine are immensely proud of their history and culture, particularly Maalouf music, which is the major music for all of their weddings. They are also known to be quite conservative.

Best places to visit in Constantine

With its long list of monuments and superb attractions, you’ll never get enough of Constantine, so here’s an idea of some places you must visit when exploring the city:

Emir Abdelkader Mosque

Emir Abdelkader mosque is one of the largest mosques in Algeria and the whole of Africa, its immensity makes it visible from almost every corner of the city. the decorative art and the Islamic patterns are what adorn this sight. It was named after prince Emir Abdelkader one of the most well-known heroes of the independence movement.

Sidi M’cid bridge

Constantine has a lot of bridges but the most famous of them all got to be Sidi M’cid bridge, this suspension bridge was built back in 1909, and it’s one of Constantine's best sights for tourists, this bridge was the highest in the world at 175m. It meets safety standards and has glamorous views, you’ll just be astonished once you discover the proficiency of building it.

Constantine caves

Constantine’s natural and mysterious beauty is manifested in the form of extremely admirable caves, some of the caves are 60m deep, and these caves were homes for animals like bears which makes them more interesting to discover.

Monument aux Morts

Expand your history knowledge by exploring the Monument aux Morts. It is a memorial created to honor the more than 800 Constantine soldiers who perished serving in World War I. The monument was built in 1930. The gate's design was influenced by Trajan's Arch at Algeria's famed Timgad Roman Ruins.

Palace of Ahmed bey

The palace of Hajj Ahmed, the bey or ruler of Constantine from 1826, is one of Algeria's best Ottoman-era constructions. It has a succession of courtyards enclosed by tiled arcades, palms, and orange tree gardens, and is adorned with Tunisian and French tiles and paintings portraying Ahmed's voyage to Mecca.

Famous dishes of Constantine

Chakhchoukha

Chakhchoukha is an adored traditional dish among the locals of Constantine. It is made of semolina crumbled with the fingers into small pieces, which are left to dry for a few days and then prepared with a red sauce.
The red sauce is mostly made with meat (chicken or lamb) and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, and chickpeas. Other vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, or potatoes, can be included as well.

Chbah Essafra

Chbah Essafra, a sweet dish very famous during the month of Ramadan. A dish based on fried almond paste, and dried fruits, like prunes, apricots and sometimes apple or pear. It is cooked in a delicious sweet sauce, very pleasant if you appreciate the sweet-salty dishes. This dish is also presented at weddings and special occasions, it is called Lham hlou (sweet meat).

Rfiss

It is a particularly tasty dessert that is usually served for births, circumcisions, weddings or any other occasion. This dish is made up of a baked cake that is crushed and then sifted to obtain a coarsely ground semolina. Melted butter, honey and crushed dried fruits are then added to it, a rich dish that is much appreciated by the guests. The rfiss is served with powdered sugar and it is best served warm with a good glass of fermented milk.

Constantine’s traditional sweets

Here’s a list of Algiers’s most famous sweets, it’s recommended to combine it with coffee or tea, so you can get a heavenly taste you’ll never forget:

Baklawa

Taminat el louz

Ghribiya

Traditional outfit of Constantine

Katifa fergani : The katifa fergani is a dress made of velvet and decorated with elaborate gold embroidery. its color is originally burgundy or black, although nowadays other fabric colors are also used. The embroidery is part of the local cultural heritage.

The neckline is very often heart-shaped, framed by a long plastron that goes down to the mid-body. The embroidery is more or less important at the bottom of the dress. The dress is also trimmed with a belt, sometimes of velvet embroidered with gold or silver, and is worn with a shirt with lace or embroidered tulle sleeves

Famous people from Constantine

Youcef Zighoud

During the Algerian War, Youcef Zighoud, also known as Colonel Si Ahmed, was a member of the Algerian FLN.

Kateb Yacine

Kateb Yacine was an Algerian writer known for his novels, as well as his support for the Berber struggle.

AHLAM MOUSTAGANEMI

Ahlam Moustaganemi is an Algerian novelist who has been described as "probably the world's best-known Arabophone woman novelist."

Amir Ramy Bensebani

Amir Ramy Bensebani is an Algerian professional footballer who plays for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach as well as the Algerian national team.

Fun facts about Constantine

FAQ

What are the best hotels in Constantine?

Some of the best hotels in Constantine are:

Ibis Constantine
House ‘Villa hadj kaddour’
Constantine Mariott

For bookings and more details visit their websites:

Is there an airport in Constantine?

Yes, and it’s called “Mohamed Boudiaf Airport”.

Is there a port in Constantine?

No.

Are there universities in Constantine?

Yes, here’s a list of Constantine's top universities:

University of Constantine 1 Mentouri
University 1 Annex Zerzara
Islamic University Emir Abdelkader
University of Constantine 2 Mehri
University of Constantine 3 Boubnider

Are there beaches in Constantine?

No.

How is the weather in Constantine?

Summers in Constantine are short, hot, dry, and mainly clear, while winters are lengthy, cold, and partially overcast. Throughout the year, the temperature normally ranges from 38°F to 94°F, with temperatures seldom falling below 32°F or rising over 103°F.

What is the time zone in Constantine?

The Time zone in Constantine is Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)

What is the zip code of Constantine?

Constantine’s Zip code is 25000.