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The Glossary

casbah - "a walled citadel or fortress in Algeria and of many North African cities and town, also called a traditional clustered unit."

From Algeria Glossary

Wandering like a nomad for a day through the expansive landscape of Ouargla, one can discover its many markets, the casbah (town proper) and some of its ancient mosques. To visitors who fancy some unusual attractions, Ouargla will surely figure in the list.

Once a bustling gold and slave trading center, Ouargla, which is dubbed as the "Golden Key to the Desert," remains active and successful in the oil industry. Today, the town has grown into a city that is capable enough to embrace modernity without losing its innate charm.

Though there is not much to do here, Ouargla is well worth visiting for its Malekite Mosque of al-Masjid al-Atiq which means "the old mosque" and the Ibadhi Mosque, a home to the Islamic scholar Taleb et-Tayeb.

At the foothills of the mosque lies the market square of Souk l'ehjar or the "Rock Market," one of the well-admired attractions for tourists over the years. It has been famous for its sand roses, authentic Algerian antiques and some cultural ornaments. Next to the Souk l'ehjar is the bustling Sunday market lined with its convoluted rows of stalls selling local produce from meat and vegetables to baskets of fresh herbs.

Those who wish to get a little bit nostalgic (or romantic) can head for a walk down the narrow streets of the casbah which is quite striking with elegant beige and rose colored buildings complemented with porticos and sprawling courtyards.

For those who would prefer a more laidback time, there can be a detour to the city museum called Musée du Sahara where they can find an outstanding collection of Saharan relics along with some interesting plants and animals on display.

Further on the oasis town of Ouargla is the Sebkha Beach, dotted with palm groves convenient to those who want to cool off after a series of quick trips around the town.

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