Blida (in Arab البليدة El Bouleïda ) is a commune of the north of the Algérie, chief town of the wilaya of the same name, located at the foot of the Tellian Atlas with 260 meters of altitude. Its name means “small town”.

History

One estimates the foundation of Blida in 1535. The Andalusian Moors transformed the waste lands into orchards thanks to the plantations of orange trees. The marabout Sidi Ahmed Ben Youcef, according to the Oral tradition, exclaimed by contemplating the city: “You are called El-Blida (small town), I call you El-Ourida (“the small pink”)”. The area of Blida, from its strategic situation on the side of the mountains of l´Atlas tellien, was coveted by several conquerors of passage: Roman , Arab , French, on a bottom of population Berber.

Prosperity came with the Othoman conquest and the city became a kind of place of rest and predilection of the lords nouveau riches and sovereigns Turkish of Algiers, who liked to come to rest and rest themselves, and to visit the Turkish palate with Sidi Yaacoub. The Othomans build monumental doors with each entry, Bab el Dzair, Bab el rahba, Bab el Sebt, Bab el Zaouia, and Bab el Kouikha. Their doors do not exist unfortunately any more nowadays. During this Turkish regency, Blida became a city of pleasures for the Janissaire S of Algiers, and Blida was called “Blida resting it”. In 1817, an epidemic of Peste made 70 to 100 died per day during one year. The population was of 7000 inhabitants. March 5th 1825 in the afternoon a Earthquake has buries half of the population is nearly 3000 people. The population took refuge in Montpensier which was then in the north of Blida. The Aga Yaya made rebuild the city in north more.

The French return on Blida, 7 years after l´ invasion of 1830, they found a resistance savage. They built large military barracks, moreover Blida was a garrison city of the French Army, one can see these barracks has our days. In 1936, Blida counted 44.043 inhabitants including 12.930 Europeans. In 1948, there were 66.328 rationnaires registered including 19.390 Europeans. It was the second city of the Département of Algiers.

Blida owes its fame with the European colonists which moved into this fertile zone, the colonists built a very beautiful city, with splendid streets and places, such as the street d´Alger, the street Koulougli, the street Parmentier, without forgetting the Jewish district, or the trade flowered with flood all with the turn of the famous European market, also the splendid gardens were to set up all with the tower of the city full with pinks and jasmines.

Famous visitors:

After the independence, Blida became the capital of famous the Mitidja, full fertile with Algeria or orange trees, pomegranates, and apple trees, filled with wonder the eyes, of Albert Camus, where it was dazzled by his green beauty. Old Sub-prefecture of the French department of Algiers (91, then 9A), it becomes Chef-lieu of Wilaya in 1974. The war of liberation (1954 - 1962) had had its batch of Blidéens martyrs having belonged to the wilaya IV but Blida will remain a long time dependant on Algiers distant from 48 km. 1974 will be revolving with the statute of wilaya (prefecture, department). An incalculable number of migrants coming from the interior of the country as all the civils servant having to occupy of the stations will give to the city a cosmopolitan seal which will complete the particular status of the traditional city. The military service as well as the seal of city-garrison will mark the districts and cities forever. The famous district of Bab Rahba - Bécourt- city with the " bordel" for soldiers was never attended by the women and girls of the city. First great housing construction collectives, the City of the 1000 residences will still more bring back the citizens of the interior of the country which will bring back with them of other traditions and mixing will upset even more the city " andalouse". The decade known as " tragedy " -1993 to 2003 - the destruction of the statute of town of art and traditions will complete. The cultural events are done rare and Blida derives slowly towards quite simply the statute from dormitory town for some and town of trade for others.

Nevertheless, this beautiful Andalusian city has a splendid amusement park and family rest at the western exit, where all the families come to admire the splendid green mountains which overhang Blida the soft one.

Culture

Town of art and traditions, Blida knew to keep a specific seal for the Andalusian music. Dahmane Ben Achour remains even after its death in 1976 the reference. Mohamed Khodja known as Of ziri and the nephew of this last, Farid Khodja, allows to continue this transmitted art of wire father as for Benguergoura. El Besseri, Tobbal, Kessoum and, especially, Rachid Nouni, will add with this seal of town of music at the sides of the stammerings of the theater. Mohamed Touri, Farida Saboundji, Abderrahmane Setofe survive in front of the unconsciousness of the persons in charge for safeguarding of this Article Of the festivals of Andalusian music were held during years 1996,1997 and 1998 to much more slacken an atmosphere become asphyxiating with the series of attacks but it was a success which new the wali, Bouricha, could not perpetuate.

See too

External bonds

  • Population of the Algerian cities

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