Theme Week Algeria – Tlemcen

29 September 2017 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Union for the Mediterranean Reading Time:  14 minutes

© panoramio.com - habib Kaki/cc-by-3.0

© panoramio.com – habib Kaki/cc-by-3.0

Tlemcen is a city in north-western Algeria, and the capital of the province of the same name. The city has developed leather, carpet, and textile industries, which it ships to the port of Rashgun for export. It had a population of 140,000, while the province had 950,000 inhabitants. The town is the ancient capital of central Maghreb, and was founded by the local Berbers. Its centuries of rich history and culture have made the city a center of a unique blend of music and art. Its textiles and handcrafts, its elegant blend of Berber and Al-Andalusian cultures, and its cool climate in the mountains have made it an important center of tourism in Algeria. It is home to a beautiful tomb – that of Sidi Abu Madyan, whose tomb adjoins a mosque. The Great Mosque at Tlemcen was completed in 1136 and is said to be the most remarkable remaining example of Almoravid architecture.   read more…

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