Happy TravellerWelcome to Mostaganem, a beautiful port city located in the northwest of Algeria. With a rich history dating back to Punic and Roman times, Mostaganem is a city that is steeped in culture and tradition. Founded in the 11th century as Murustage, the city has seen many rulers over the years, including the Zirid dynasty, the Almoravid dynasty, and the Ottoman Hayreddin Barbarossa. In 1833, the city was taken by France and became a garrison. Algeria became independent in 1962. Today, Mostaganem is a bustling city with a population of 457,986 as of the 2018 census. It is considered as the second-largest city in the country’s northwest, after Oran, and as Algeria’s fourth-largest port city.
Mostaganem is located on the Gulf of Arzew, Mediterranean Sea and is 72 km ENE of Oran. The city is divided in two by a ravine of the river Aïn Sefra, with the modern town to the southwest, and the old Muslim city, Tidgit, to the northeast. The city has a mild semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with more rainfall in winter than in summer. The average annual temperature in Mostaganem is 17.9 °C (64.2 °F), and about 347 mm (13.66 in) of precipitation falls annually.
Mostaganem is a city that is rich in culture and tradition. It is home to many illustrious figures such as playwright Ould Abderrahmane Abdelkader AKA Kaki, cinema director Mohamed Chouikh, historians such as Moulay Belhamissi, and lyricists such as Kadda Medjeded. The city is also a major centre of popular and amateur theater, and it is home to important specialists of Andalusian classical music (Moulay Benkrizi), Chaabi (Maazouz Bouadjadj, Habib Bettahar), masters of traditional Bedouin music (Sheikh Hamada, Sheikh Djilali Ain Tedeles) and poets such as Sheikh Abdelkader Bentobdji and Sidi Lakhdar Benkhelouf who are authors of well-known qasida of Malhun poetry bequeathed as much to the Chaabi legacy as to Bedouins such as Emir `Abd al-Qādir al-Jazāirī.
Mostaganem is also home to the tomb of Ahmad al-Alawi, a Great Sufi Master who played a major role in spreading the Shadhili Darqawi tariqa (spiritual order) across the globe. Many modern Muslims consider al-Alawi to be one of the revivers of Islam in the 20th century due to his role in spreading the religion, and even influencing the West, including opening the first mosque in Paris. Al-Alawi’s tomb is now a popular visitation sight in Mostaganem.
In terms of tourism, Mostaganem has a lot to offer. The city is home to many beautiful beaches, including Plage de Sidi Lakhdar and Plage de Stidia. These beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. Mostaganem is also home to many historical landmarks, including the Great Mosque of Mostaganem, which was built in the 17th century and is one of the oldest mosques in Algeria. Other notable landmarks include the Spanish Fort, which was built in the 16th century, and the St. Augustine Church, which was built in the 19th century.
Mostaganem is also known for its delicious local cuisine. The city is famous for its seafood, and visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes made with fresh fish and shellfish. Some of the most popular dishes include grilled sardines, fried calamari, and bouillabaisse, a traditional fish stew.
In conclusion, Mostaganem is a city that is rich in culture, history, and tradition. With its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and delicious local cuisine, it is a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Whether you are interested in history, culture, or just want to relax on the beach, Mostaganem has something for everyone. So why not plan your next vacation to this beautiful city and experience all that it has to offer?
