My holidays
in Tipaza, Algeria
in Tipaza, Algeria
Tipaza is a Berber-speaking town on the coast of Algeria, capital of the Tipaza Province. When it was part of the Roman Empire, it was called Tipasa. The modern town, was founded in 1857. It is remarkable for its beautiful landscape and ancient ruins.
Tipasa, as it was then called, was an ancient trading-post conquered by Ancient Rome and turned into a military colony by the emperor Claudius for the conquest of the kingdoms of Mauretania.
The city was an important Christian center during the last centuries of Roman domination, with 3 basilicas. Tipasa was destroyed by the Vandals in 430 AD, but was rebuilt by the Byzantines one century later. At the end of the seventh century the city was destroyed by the Arabs and reduced to ruins. In the nineteenth century the place was settled again.
Now it is a town of nearly 30,000 inhabitants. The city is an important tourist place in modern Algeria, mainly because of the Tipasa ruins.
The town and its surroundings is home to the largest Berber-speaking group of western Algeria, the Chenoua people. When we went there we bought lovely souvenirs made of terracotta as shops specialise in making plates, vases and plenty of beautiful presents. Also when I visited this town we went to the restaurant and ate a lovely lunch and we had pizzas and sardines as it is by the port and the sea food is tasty!!!!
Tipasa, as it was then called, was an ancient trading-post conquered by Ancient Rome and turned into a military colony by the emperor Claudius for the conquest of the kingdoms of Mauretania.
The city was an important Christian center during the last centuries of Roman domination, with 3 basilicas. Tipasa was destroyed by the Vandals in 430 AD, but was rebuilt by the Byzantines one century later. At the end of the seventh century the city was destroyed by the Arabs and reduced to ruins. In the nineteenth century the place was settled again.
Now it is a town of nearly 30,000 inhabitants. The city is an important tourist place in modern Algeria, mainly because of the Tipasa ruins.
The town and its surroundings is home to the largest Berber-speaking group of western Algeria, the Chenoua people. When we went there we bought lovely souvenirs made of terracotta as shops specialise in making plates, vases and plenty of beautiful presents. Also when I visited this town we went to the restaurant and ate a lovely lunch and we had pizzas and sardines as it is by the port and the sea food is tasty!!!!
It was a fantastic day at Tipaza!
