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Coordinates: 36°47′0″N 3°3′37″E / 36.78333°N 3.06028°E / 36.78333; 3.06028
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{{Short description|Citadel and neighborhood in Algiers, Algeria}}
{{short description|Citadel and neighborhood in Algiers, Algeria}}
{{for|generic use of the term "casbah"|kasbah}}
{{for|generic use of the term "casbah"|kasbah}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Expand French|topic=struct|date=December 2012}}
{{Expand French|topic=struct|date=December 2012}}
{{expand Arabic|topic=struct|date=January 2023}}
{{expand Arabic|topic=struct|date=January 2023}}
}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
|WHS = Kasbah of Algiers
|WHS = Kasbah of Algiers
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The '''Casbah''' ({{lang-ar|[[wikt:قصبة|قصبة]]}}, [[Kasbah|''qaṣba'']], meaning [[citadel]]) is the citadel of [[Algiers]] in [[Algeria]] and the traditional quarter clustered around it. In 1992, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ([[UNESCO]]) proclaimed ''Kasbah of Algiers'' a [[World Cultural Heritage Site]], as "There are the remains of the citadel, old mosques and Ottoman-style palaces as well as the remains of a traditional urban structure associated with a deep-rooted sense of community."<ref>[[UNESCO]], [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565 ''Decision Text''], World Heritage Centre, retrieved 21 July 2017</ref>
The '''Casbah''' ({{langx|ar|[[wikt:قصبة|قصبة]]}}, [[Kasbah|''qaṣba'']], meaning [[citadel]]) is the citadel of [[Algiers]] in [[Algeria]] and the traditional quarter clustered around it. In 1992, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ([[UNESCO]]) proclaimed ''Kasbah of Algiers'' a [[World Cultural Heritage Site]], as "There are the remains of the citadel, old mosques and Ottoman-style palaces as well as the remains of a traditional urban structure associated with a deep-rooted sense of community."<ref>{{cite web| website=UNESCO World Heritage Convention| url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565| title= Kasbah of Algiers| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901172242/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/565| archive-date=2022-09-01| access-date=2024-09-21}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
More generally, a [[kasbah]] is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns.<ref>[http://arabicnametranslatorrxab.wordpress.com/ ''Arabic Name Translator'']. "The Casbah (Arabic: قصبة, qaṣba, meaning citadel (fortress)) is specifically the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it. More generally, a kasbah is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns."</ref> The name made its way into English from French in the late 19th century (the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' states 1895), and can be spelled "kasbah" or "casbah."<ref>Tanya Reinhart Israel/Palestine: How to End the War of 1948 2011- Page 151 "The Jenin refugee camp and the Casbah in Nablus were considered by the Israeli army to be the toughest areas to conquer. Preparations to seize these areas began long in advance. In January 2002, Amir Oren reported in Ha'aretz that the ..."</ref>
More generally, a [[kasbah]] is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns.<ref>[http://arabicnametranslatorrxab.wordpress.com/ "Arabic Name Translator"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814035234/http://arabicnametranslatorrxab.wordpress.com/ |date=2014-08-14 }}. "The Casbah (Arabic: قصبة, qaṣba, meaning citadel (fortress)) is specifically the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it. More generally, a kasbah is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns."</ref> The name made its way into English from French in the late 19th century (the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' states 1895), and can be spelled "kasbah" or "casbah".<ref>Tanya Reinhart Israel/Palestine: How to End the War of 1948 2011- Page 151 "The Jenin refugee camp and the Casbah in Nablus were considered by the Israeli army to be the toughest areas to conquer. Preparations to seize these areas began long in advance. In January 2002, Amir Oren reported in Ha'aretz that the ..."</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Dar Soltan Alger.jpg|thumb|Palace of Dey]]
[[File:Dar Soltan Alger.jpg|thumb|Palace of Dey]]
The Casbah of Algiers is founded on the ruins of old [[Icosium]] in the 10th century. It was a city built on a hill, stretching towards the sea, divided into the "High city" and the "Low city". One finds there [[masonry]] and [[mosques]] dating from the 17th century: [[Ketchaoua Mosque]] (built in 1794 by the Dey Baba Hassan) flanked by two [[minaret]]s; [[Djama’a al-Djedid]] (1660, at the time of the Ottomans) with its large finished ovoid [[cupola]] points some and its four cupolas; [[Djamaâ el Kebir]] (the oldest of the mosques), built by [[Almoravid dynasty|Almoravid]] ruler [[Yusuf ibn Tashfin]]; and [[Ali Bitchin Mosque]] (Raïs, 1623). The Casbah also contained several palaces, including [[Dar Aziza]], [[Dar Mustapha Pacha]], [[Palace of the Dey]], and [[Dar Hassan Pacha]] which was built in 1791 to house the [[Pasha]], who lived there for eight years.<ref name="WDL">{{cite web |url = http://www.wdl.org/en/item/8768/ |title = Interior of Governors Palace, Algiers, Algeria |website = [[World Digital Library]] |year = 1899 |access-date = 2013-09-25 }}</ref>
The Casbah of Algiers is founded on the ruins of old [[Icosium]] in the 10th century. It was a city built on a hill, stretching towards the sea, divided into the "High city" and the "Low city". One finds there [[masonry]] and [[mosques]] dating from the 17th century: [[Ketchaoua Mosque]] (built in 1794 by the Dey Baba Hassan) flanked by two [[minaret]]s; [[Djama’a al-Djedid]] (1660, at the time of the Ottomans) with its large finished ovoid [[cupola]] points some and its four cupolas; [[Djamaâ el Kebir]] (the oldest of the mosques), built by [[Almoravid dynasty|Almoravid]] ruler [[Yusuf ibn Tashfin]]; and [[Ali Bitchin Mosque]] (Raïs, 1623). The Casbah also contained several palaces, including [[Dar Aziza]], [[Dar Mustapha Pacha]], [[Palace of the Dey]], and [[Dar Hassan Pacha]] which was built in 1791 to house the [[Pasha]], who lived there for eight years.<ref name="WDL">{{cite web |url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/8768/ |title=Interior of Governors Palace, Algiers, Algeria |website=[[World Digital Library]] |year=1899 |access-date=2013-09-25 |archive-date=2018-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109181236/https://www.wdl.org/en/item/8768/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


In 1839, shortly after the French conquest, the [[French people|French]] governor moved into Dar Hassan Pacha. In 1860, [[Napoleon III]] and [[Eugénie de Montijo]] visited.<ref name="WDL" /> Before [[French Algeria|French rule]], the casbah contained around 13 [[Jama Masjid]]s, 109 mosques, 32 [[mausoleum]]s and 12 [[Zawiya (institution)|Zawiya]]s, total of 166 religious-related buildings. However, the majority of these religious buildings were destroyed during the occupation. In 1862, there were only nine Jama Masjids, 19 mosques, 15 mausoleums and five Zawiyas left. Many mosques such as Ketchauoua Mosque and [[Berrani Mosque]] were converted into building with non-Islamic purposes, such as military barracks and churches.<ref>[http://elmihwar.com/ar/index.php/mobile/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA/18168.html دويرات القصبة تحتضّر ومساجدها العتيقة مهدّدة بالاندثار.. فهل من مغيث؟] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330111030/http://elmihwar.com/ar/index.php/mobile/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA/18168.html |date=2020-03-30 }}. ''El Mihwar''. Retrieved January 9, 2018.</ref>
In 1839, shortly after the French conquest, the [[French people|French]] governor moved into Dar Hassan Pacha. In 1860, [[Napoleon III]] and [[Eugénie de Montijo]] visited.<ref name="WDL" /> Before [[French Algeria|French rule]], the casbah contained around 13 [[Jama Masjid]]s, 109 mosques, 32 [[mausoleum]]s and 12 [[Zawiya (institution)|Zawiya]]s, total of 166 religious-related buildings. However, the majority of these religious buildings were destroyed during the occupation. In 1862, there were only nine Jama Masjids, 19 mosques, 15 mausoleums and five Zawiyas left. Many mosques such as Ketchauoua Mosque and [[Berrani Mosque]] were converted into buildings with non-Islamic purposes, such as military barracks and churches.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://elmihwar.com/ar/index.php/mobile/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA/18168.html| title=دويرات القصبة تحتضّر ومساجدها العتيقة مهدّدة بالاندثار.. فهل من مغيث؟| trans-title=The towns of Kasbah are dying and its ancient mosques are threatened with extinction. Is there anyone who can help?| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330111030/http://elmihwar.com/ar/index.php/mobile/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA/18168.html| archive-date=2020-03-30| website=El Mihwar| access-date=January 9, 2018| language=arabic}}</ref>


The Casbah played a central role during the [[Algerian War|Algerian War of Independence]] (1954–1962). During the early years of the war, the Casbah was the epicenter of the [[insurgency]] planning of the [[National Liberation Front (Algeria)|National Liberation Front]] (FLN), from which it planned and executed attacks against French citizens and law enforcement agents in Algeria at the time. In order to counter their efforts, the French authorities launched operations in the Casbah during the [[Battle of Algiers (1956–1957)|Battle of Algiers]].
The Casbah played a central role during the [[Algerian War|Algerian War of Independence]] (1954–1962). During the early years of the war, the Casbah was the epicenter of the [[insurgency]] planning of the [[National Liberation Front (Algeria)|National Liberation Front]] (FLN), from which it planned and executed attacks against French citizens and law enforcement agents in Algeria at the time. In order to counter their efforts, the French authorities launched operations in the Casbah during the [[Battle of Algiers (1956–1957)|Battle of Algiers]].


== Current condition ==
== Current condition ==
The ANSS, the conservation agency of the Algerian government, reported that 373 buildings in the Casbah have collapsed. Of the 1816 buildings that remain, 40% are ruined or in a critical state, and 10% are boarded up.<ref name=Foroudi>Layli Foroudi, [https://www.apollo-magazine.com/the-algerians-battling-to-save-the-casbah-from-crumbling/ The Algerians battling to save the Casbah from crumbling], ''Apollo'' (March 19, 2020).</ref>
The ANSS, the conservation agency of the Algerian government, reported that 373 buildings in the Casbah have collapsed. Of the 1816 buildings that remain, 40% are ruined or in a critical state, and 10% are boarded up.<ref name=Foroudi>Foroudi, Layli (March 19, 2020). [https://www.apollo-magazine.com/the-algerians-battling-to-save-the-casbah-from-crumbling/ "The Algerians battling to save the Casbah from crumbling"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306101949/https://www.apollo-magazine.com/the-algerians-battling-to-save-the-casbah-from-crumbling/ |date=2021-03-06 }}. ''Apollo''.</ref>


[[Reuters]] reported in August 2008 that the Casbah was in a state of neglect and certain areas were at risk of collapse.<ref>{{cite news|author=William Maclean |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSLB44107820080901?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=REUTERS, William Maclean, Aug 31, 2008 |agency=Reuters|date= 2008-09-01|access-date=2010-06-19}}</ref>
[[Reuters]] reported in August 2008 that the Casbah was in a state of neglect and certain areas were at risk of collapse.<ref>{{cite news |first=William |last=Maclean |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSLB44107820080901?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=A ray of hope for Algeria's crumbling Casbah? |work=Reuters |date=31 August 2008 |access-date=2024-09-21 |archive-date=2021-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202755/https://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSLB44107820080901?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 |url-status=live}}</ref>


Algerian authorities list age, neglect and overpopulation as the principal contributors to the degeneration. Overpopulation makes the problem especially difficult to solve because of the effort it would take to relocate the residents. Estimates range from 40,000 to 70,000 people, although it is difficult to be certain due to the number of [[squatters]] in vacant buildings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.algeria.com/blog/renewal-of-the-algiers-casbah |title=Algeria Channel |publisher=Algeria.com |access-date=2010-06-19}}</ref> One reason that the government wants to improve the condition of the Casbah is that it is a potential hideout for criminals and terrorists. In the late 1950s and during the [[Algerian War|civil insurrection]] and struggle against French colonial rule it was the hideout for the [[National Liberation Army (Algeria)]].
Algerian authorities list age, neglect and [[overpopulation]] as the principal contributors to the degeneration. Overpopulation makes the problem especially difficult to solve because of the effort it would take to relocate the residents. Estimates range from 40,000 to 70,000 people, although it is difficult to be certain due to the number of [[squatters]] in vacant buildings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.algeria.com/blog/renewal-of-the-algiers-casbah |title=Renewal of the Algiers Casbah |website=Algeria Channel |access-date=2024-09-21 |archive-date=2021-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629105014/https://www.algeria.com/blog/renewal-of-the-algiers-casbah/ |url-status=live}}</ref> One reason that the government wants to improve the condition of the Casbah is that it is a potential hideout for criminals and terrorists. In the late 1950s and during the [[Algerian War|civil insurrection]] and struggle against French colonial rule it was the hideout for the [[National Liberation Army (Algeria)]].


Preservationist Belkacem Babaci described the situation as difficult, but not insurmountable, saying: “I still believe it’s possible to save it, but you need to empty it and you need to find qualified people who will respect the style, the materials. It’s a huge challenge.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/07/05/the-casbah-crumbles-amid-algerias-turmoil/ |title=Wall Street Journal Blogs, The Informed Reader, July 5, 2007, 9:39 AM ET |publisher=Blogs.wsj.com |date=2007-07-05 |access-date=2010-06-19}}</ref> Restoration projects have been plagued by delays and endemic corruption.<ref name=Foroudi/>
Preservationist Belkacem Babaci described the situation as difficult, but not insurmountable, saying: “I still believe it’s possible to save it, but you need to empty it and you need to find qualified people who will respect the style, the materials. It’s a huge challenge.”<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/07/05/the-casbah-crumbles-amid-algerias-turmoil/ |title=The Casbah Crumbles Amid Algeria's Turmoil |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=5 July 2007 |access-date=2024-09-21 |archive-date=2012-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330134140/http://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/07/05/the-casbah-crumbles-amid-algerias-turmoil/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Restoration projects have been plagued by delays and endemic corruption.<ref name=Foroudi/>


<gallery class="center" widths="200px" heights="155px">
<gallery class="center" widths="200px" heights="155px">
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== Climate change ==
== Climate change ==
{{Main|Sea level rise}}
{{main|Sea level rise}}
Since the Casbah of Algiers is a coastal landmark, it is vulnerable to [[sea level rise]]. In 2022, the [[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report]] included it in the list of African cultural sites which would be threatened by [[flooding]] and [[coastal erosion]] by the end of the century, but only if [[climate change]] followed [[Representative_Concentration_Pathway#RCP_8.5|RCP 8.5]], which is the scenario of high and continually increasing [[greenhouse gas]] emissions associated with a warming of over 4{{Nbsp}}°C.<ref>Trisos, C.H., I.O. Adelekan, E. Totin, A. Ayanlade, J. Efitre, A. Gemeda, K. Kalaba, C. Lennard, C. Masao, Y. Mgaya, G. Ngaruiya, D. Olago, N.P. Simpson, and S. Zakieldeen 2022: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter09.pdf Chapter 9: Africa]. In [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability] [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke,V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 2043–2121 </ref>, and is no longer considered very likely.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=RCP8.5 is a problematic scenario for near-term emissions|journal=PNAS|date=20 October 2020|volume=117|issue=45|pages=27791-27792|doi=10.1073/pnas.2017124117 |doi-access=free|pmc=7668049}}</ref> The other, more plausible scenarios result in lower warming levels and consequently lower sea level rise: yet sea level rise would continue for about 10,000 years in all of them.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf |title=Technical Summary. In: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |date=August 2021 |publisher=IPCC |page=TS14 |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> Even if the warming is limited to 1.5{{Nbsp}}°C, global sea level rise is still expected to exceed {{convert|2-3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} after 2000 years (and higher warming levels will see larger increases by then), consequently exceeding 2100 levels of sea level rise under RCP 8.5 (~{{convert|0.75|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} with a range of {{convert|0.5-1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}) well before the year 4000. Thus, it is a matter of time before the Casbah of Algiers is threatened by water levels, unless it can be protected by adaptation efforts such as [[sea wall]]s.<ref>IPCC, 2021: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_SPM.pdf Summary for Policymakers]. In: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/ Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] [Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S.L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J.B.R. Matthews, T.K. Maycock, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu, and B. Zhou (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 3−32, doi:10.1017/9781009157896.001.</ref>
Since the Casbah of Algiers is a coastal landmark, it is vulnerable to [[sea level rise]]. In 2022, the [[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report]] included it in the list of African cultural sites which would be threatened by [[flooding]] and [[coastal erosion]] by the end of the century, but only if [[climate change]] followed [[Representative Concentration Pathway#RCP 8.5|RCP 8.5]], which is the scenario of high and continually increasing [[greenhouse gas]] emissions associated with a warming of over 4{{Nbsp}}°C.,<ref>Trisos, C.H., I.O. Adelekan, E. Totin, A. Ayanlade, J. Efitre, A. Gemeda, K. Kalaba, C. Lennard, C. Masao, Y. Mgaya, G. Ngaruiya, D. Olago, N.P. Simpson, and S. Zakieldeen 2022: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter09.pdf Chapter 9: Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206082533/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter09.pdf |date=2022-12-06 }}. In [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228114918/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ |date=2022-02-28 }} [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke,V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York City. pp. 2043–212. {{ISBN|978-1-0094-4538-2}}</ref> and is no longer considered very likely.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hausfather |first1=Zeke |last2=Peters |first2=Glen |title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading |journal=Nature |date=29 January 2020 |volume=577 |issue=7792 |pages=618–620 |doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3 |pmid=31996825 |bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hausfather |first1=Zeke |last2=Peters |first2=Glen |title=RCP8.5 is a problematic scenario for near-term emissions |journal=PNAS |date=20 October 2020 |volume=117 |issue=45 |pages=27791–27792 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2017124117 |doi-access=free |pmid=33082220 |pmc=7668049|bibcode=2020PNAS..11727791H }}</ref> The other, more plausible scenarios result in lower warming levels and consequently lower sea level rise: yet sea level rise would continue for about 10,000 years in all of them.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf |title=Technical Summary. In: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |date=August 2021 |publisher=IPCC |page=TS14 |access-date=12 November 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809080054/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Even if the warming is limited to 1.5{{Nbsp}}°C, global sea level rise is still expected to exceed {{convert|2-3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} after 2000 years (and higher warming levels will see larger increases by then), consequently exceeding 2100 levels of sea level rise under RCP 8.5 (~{{convert|0.75|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} with a range of {{convert|0.5-1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}) well before the year 4000. Thus, it is a matter of time before the Casbah of Algiers is threatened by water levels, unless it can be protected by adaptation efforts such as [[sea wall]]s.<ref>IPCC, 2021: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_SPM.pdf "Summary for Policymakers"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811205522/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_SPM.pdf |date=2021-08-11}}. In: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/ "Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526182346/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Chapter09.pdf |date=2023-05-26}}. [Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S.L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J.B.R. Matthews, T.K. Maycock, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu, and B. Zhou (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. pp. 3−32. doi:10.1017/9781009157896.001.</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
*The Casbah of Algiers plays a central role in the 1937 French film ''[[Pépé le Moko]]'' and the 1938 American film ''[[Algiers (film)|Algiers]]'', in which the noted jewel thief Pepe le Moko, played by [[Jean Gabin]] in the French version and [[Charles Boyer]] in the American version hide there after a heist in France, and he becomes a local leader, but as time passes, he begins to feel trapped in the district. Although in the American film, Boyer never said to costar [[Hedy Lamarr]] "Come with me to ze Casbah," this line was in the Hollywood movie trailer, and it would stick with him, thanks to generations of impressionists and [[Looney Tunes]] parodies.<ref>{{cite book |author=TCM Film Guide |title=The 50 Most Unforgettable Actors of the Studio Era: Leading Men |publisher=[[Chronicle Books]] |location=San Francisco, California |year=2006|page=29}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Boller, Jr. |first=Paul F. |author2=George, John |title=They Never Said It: A Book of Fake Quotes, Misquotes, and Misleading Attributions |year=1989 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |isbn=0-19-505541-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/theyneversaiditb00boll }}</ref>
*The Casbah of Algiers plays a central role in the 1937 French film ''[[Pépé le Moko]]'' and the 1938 American film ''[[Algiers (1938 film)|Algiers]]'', in which the noted jewel thief Pepe le Moko, played by [[Jean Gabin]] in the French version and [[Charles Boyer]] in the American version, hide there after a heist in France, and he becomes a local leader, but as time passes, he begins to feel trapped in the district. Although in the American film, Boyer never said to costar [[Hedy Lamarr]] "Come with me to ze Casbah", this line was in the Hollywood movie trailer, and it would stick with him, thanks to generations of impressionists and [[Looney Tunes]] parodies.<ref name=miller>{{cite book |first=Frank |last=Miller |title=The 50 Most Unforgettable Actors of the Studio Era: Leading Men |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M7X0EAXFR6wC&q=boyer |publisher=[[Chronicle Books]] |location=San Francisco |date=28 September 2006 |page=29 |isbn=978-0-8118-5467-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Boller, Jr. |first=Paul F. |author2=George, John |title=They Never Said It: A Book of Fake Quotes, Misquotes, and Misleading Attributions |date=18 May 1989 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-1980-2222-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NCOEYJ0q-DUC&q=boyer |page=9}}</ref>
*Boyer's role as Pepe Le Moko was already world-famous when animator [[Chuck Jones]] based the character of [[Pepé Le Pew]], the romantic skunk introduced in 1945's [[Warner Bros.]] cartoon ''[[Odor-able Kitty]]'', on Boyer, his voice &ndash; imitated by [[Mel Blanc]] &ndash; and the catch phrase "Come with me to ze Casbah" from his most well-known performance.<ref>{{cite book |author=TCM Film Guide |title=The 50 Most Unforgettable Actors of the Studio Era: Leading Men |publisher=[[Chronicle Books]] |location=San Francisco, California |year=2006|page=31}}</ref>
*Boyer's role as Pepe Le Moko was already world-famous when animator [[Chuck Jones]] based the character of [[Pepé Le Pew]], the romantic skunk introduced in 1945's [[Warner Bros.]] cartoon ''[[Odor-able Kitty]]'', on Boyer, his voice &ndash; imitated by [[Mel Blanc]] &ndash; and the catch phrase "Come with me to ze Casbah" from his most well-known performance.<ref name=miller/>
*The Casbah of Algiers plays a central role in the 1966 Italian-Algerian war film ''[[The Battle of Algiers]]'', co-written and directed by [[Gillo Pontecorvo]].


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
Line 83: Line 86:


* [https://www.manar-al-athar.ox.ac.uk/pages/search.php?search=%21collection3076 Images of Algiers Casbah] in Manar al-Athar digital heritage archive resource
* [https://www.manar-al-athar.ox.ac.uk/pages/search.php?search=%21collection3076 Images of Algiers Casbah] in Manar al-Athar digital heritage archive resource

* {{cite news | author = Smith, Craig S.| title = The Crumbling of the Casbah | access-date = 2008-02-08 | work = [[The New York Times]] | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/arts/design/23smit.html | date=2006-07-23}}
* {{cite news | author = Smith, Craig S.| title = The Crumbling of the Casbah | access-date = 2008-02-08 | work = [[The New York Times]] | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/arts/design/23smit.html | date=2006-07-23}}
* {{cite news | author = Hammer, Joshua | date = July 2007 | title = Save the Casbah | work = [[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]] | url = http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/10024726.html }}
* {{cite news | author = Hammer, Joshua | date = July 2007 | title = Save the Casbah | work = [[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]] | url = http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/10024726.html | access-date = 2009-09-21 | archive-date = 2012-09-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120914182850/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/10024726.html | url-status = dead }}


{{Algiers}}
{{Algiers}}

Latest revision as of 04:22, 29 October 2024

For generic use of the term "casbah", see kasbah.
Kasbah of Algiers
UNESCO World Heritage Site
LocationAlgiers, Algeria
CriteriaCultural: ii, v
Reference565
Inscription1992 (16th Session)
Area54.7 ha
Coordinates36°47′0″N 3°3′37″E / 36.78333°N 3.06028°E / 36.78333; 3.06028
Casbah of Algiers is located in Algeria
Casbah of Algiers
Location of Casbah of Algiers in Algeria

The Casbah (Arabic: قصبة, qaṣba, meaning citadel) is the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it. In 1992, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed Kasbah of Algiers a World Cultural Heritage Site, as "There are the remains of the citadel, old mosques and Ottoman-style palaces as well as the remains of a traditional urban structure associated with a deep-rooted sense of community."[1]

Etymology

[edit]

More generally, a kasbah is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns.[2] The name made its way into English from French in the late 19th century (the Oxford English Dictionary states 1895), and can be spelled "kasbah" or "casbah".[3]

History

[edit]
Palace of Dey

The Casbah of Algiers is founded on the ruins of old Icosium in the 10th century. It was a city built on a hill, stretching towards the sea, divided into the "High city" and the "Low city". One finds there masonry and mosques dating from the 17th century: Ketchaoua Mosque (built in 1794 by the Dey Baba Hassan) flanked by two minarets; Djama’a al-Djedid (1660, at the time of the Ottomans) with its large finished ovoid cupola points some and its four cupolas; Djamaâ el Kebir (the oldest of the mosques), built by Almoravid ruler Yusuf ibn Tashfin; and Ali Bitchin Mosque (Raïs, 1623). The Casbah also contained several palaces, including Dar Aziza, Dar Mustapha Pacha, Palace of the Dey, and Dar Hassan Pacha which was built in 1791 to house the Pasha, who lived there for eight years.[4]

In 1839, shortly after the French conquest, the French governor moved into Dar Hassan Pacha. In 1860, Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo visited.[4] Before French rule, the casbah contained around 13 Jama Masjids, 109 mosques, 32 mausoleums and 12 Zawiyas, total of 166 religious-related buildings. However, the majority of these religious buildings were destroyed during the occupation. In 1862, there were only nine Jama Masjids, 19 mosques, 15 mausoleums and five Zawiyas left. Many mosques such as Ketchauoua Mosque and Berrani Mosque were converted into buildings with non-Islamic purposes, such as military barracks and churches.[5]

The Casbah played a central role during the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962). During the early years of the war, the Casbah was the epicenter of the insurgency planning of the National Liberation Front (FLN), from which it planned and executed attacks against French citizens and law enforcement agents in Algeria at the time. In order to counter their efforts, the French authorities launched operations in the Casbah during the Battle of Algiers.

Current condition

[edit]

The ANSS, the conservation agency of the Algerian government, reported that 373 buildings in the Casbah have collapsed. Of the 1816 buildings that remain, 40% are ruined or in a critical state, and 10% are boarded up.[6]

Reuters reported in August 2008 that the Casbah was in a state of neglect and certain areas were at risk of collapse.[7]

Algerian authorities list age, neglect and overpopulation as the principal contributors to the degeneration. Overpopulation makes the problem especially difficult to solve because of the effort it would take to relocate the residents. Estimates range from 40,000 to 70,000 people, although it is difficult to be certain due to the number of squatters in vacant buildings.[8] One reason that the government wants to improve the condition of the Casbah is that it is a potential hideout for criminals and terrorists. In the late 1950s and during the civil insurrection and struggle against French colonial rule it was the hideout for the National Liberation Army (Algeria).

Preservationist Belkacem Babaci described the situation as difficult, but not insurmountable, saying: “I still believe it’s possible to save it, but you need to empty it and you need to find qualified people who will respect the style, the materials. It’s a huge challenge.”[9] Restoration projects have been plagued by delays and endemic corruption.[6]

  • Casbah of Algiers
    Casbah of Algiers
  • Casbah Palace (Hammam)
    Casbah Palace (Hammam)
  • Streetscape
    Streetscape
  • A Casbah house interior architecture
    A Casbah house interior architecture
  • Fishing port down of the Casbah
    Fishing port down of the Casbah
  • A fountain in the Casbah
    A fountain in the Casbah
  • Interior of a palace of the Casbah
    Interior of a palace of the Casbah
  • Ceiling from a building in the Casbah
    Ceiling from a building in the Casbah

Climate change

[edit]
Main article: Sea level rise

Since the Casbah of Algiers is a coastal landmark, it is vulnerable to sea level rise. In 2022, the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report included it in the list of African cultural sites which would be threatened by flooding and coastal erosion by the end of the century, but only if climate change followed RCP 8.5, which is the scenario of high and continually increasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with a warming of over 4 °C.,[10] and is no longer considered very likely.[11][12] The other, more plausible scenarios result in lower warming levels and consequently lower sea level rise: yet sea level rise would continue for about 10,000 years in all of them.[13] Even if the warming is limited to 1.5 °C, global sea level rise is still expected to exceed 2–3 m (7–10 ft) after 2000 years (and higher warming levels will see larger increases by then), consequently exceeding 2100 levels of sea level rise under RCP 8.5 (~0.75 m (2 ft) with a range of 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft)) well before the year 4000. Thus, it is a matter of time before the Casbah of Algiers is threatened by water levels, unless it can be protected by adaptation efforts such as sea walls.[14]

[edit]
  • The Casbah of Algiers plays a central role in the 1937 French film Pépé le Moko and the 1938 American film Algiers, in which the noted jewel thief Pepe le Moko, played by Jean Gabin in the French version and Charles Boyer in the American version, hide there after a heist in France, and he becomes a local leader, but as time passes, he begins to feel trapped in the district. Although in the American film, Boyer never said to costar Hedy Lamarr "Come with me to ze Casbah", this line was in the Hollywood movie trailer, and it would stick with him, thanks to generations of impressionists and Looney Tunes parodies.[15][16]
  • Boyer's role as Pepe Le Moko was already world-famous when animator Chuck Jones based the character of Pepé Le Pew, the romantic skunk introduced in 1945's Warner Bros. cartoon Odor-able Kitty, on Boyer, his voice – imitated by Mel Blanc – and the catch phrase "Come with me to ze Casbah" from his most well-known performance.[15]
  • The Casbah of Algiers plays a central role in the 1966 Italian-Algerian war film The Battle of Algiers, co-written and directed by Gillo Pontecorvo.

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kasbah of Algiers". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Archived from the original on 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  2. ^ "Arabic Name Translator". Archived 2014-08-14 at the Wayback Machine. "The Casbah (Arabic: قصبة, qaṣba, meaning citadel (fortress)) is specifically the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it. More generally, a kasbah is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns."
  3. ^ Tanya Reinhart Israel/Palestine: How to End the War of 1948 2011- Page 151 "The Jenin refugee camp and the Casbah in Nablus were considered by the Israeli army to be the toughest areas to conquer. Preparations to seize these areas began long in advance. In January 2002, Amir Oren reported in Ha'aretz that the ..."
  4. ^ a b "Interior of Governors Palace, Algiers, Algeria". World Digital Library. 1899. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  5. ^ "دويرات القصبة تحتضّر ومساجدها العتيقة مهدّدة بالاندثار.. فهل من مغيث؟" [The towns of Kasbah are dying and its ancient mosques are threatened with extinction. Is there anyone who can help?]. El Mihwar (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2020-03-30. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Foroudi, Layli (March 19, 2020). "The Algerians battling to save the Casbah from crumbling". Archived 2021-03-06 at the Wayback Machine. Apollo.
  7. ^ Maclean, William (31 August 2008). "A ray of hope for Algeria's crumbling Casbah?". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  8. ^ "Renewal of the Algiers Casbah". Algeria Channel. Archived from the original on 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  9. ^ "The Casbah Crumbles Amid Algeria's Turmoil". The Wall Street Journal. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  10. ^ Trisos, C.H., I.O. Adelekan, E. Totin, A. Ayanlade, J. Efitre, A. Gemeda, K. Kalaba, C. Lennard, C. Masao, Y. Mgaya, G. Ngaruiya, D. Olago, N.P. Simpson, and S. Zakieldeen 2022: Chapter 9: Africa Archived 2022-12-06 at the Wayback Machine. In Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability Archived 2022-02-28 at the Wayback Machine [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke,V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York City. pp. 2043–212. ISBN 978-1-0094-4538-2
  11. ^ Hausfather, Zeke; Peters, Glen (29 January 2020). "Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading". Nature. 577 (7792): 618–620. Bibcode:2020Natur.577..618H. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3. PMID 31996825.
  12. ^ Hausfather, Zeke; Peters, Glen (20 October 2020). "RCP8.5 is a problematic scenario for near-term emissions". PNAS. 117 (45): 27791–27792. Bibcode:2020PNAS..11727791H. doi:10.1073/pnas.2017124117. PMC 7668049. PMID 33082220.
  13. ^ Technical Summary. In: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (PDF). IPCC. August 2021. p. TS14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  14. ^ IPCC, 2021: "Summary for Policymakers". Archived 2021-08-11 at the Wayback Machine. In: "Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change". Archived 2023-05-26 at the Wayback Machine. [Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S.L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J.B.R. Matthews, T.K. Maycock, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu, and B. Zhou (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. pp. 3−32. doi:10.1017/9781009157896.001.
  15. ^ a b Miller, Frank (28 September 2006). The 50 Most Unforgettable Actors of the Studio Era: Leading Men. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-8118-5467-2.
  16. ^ Boller, Jr., Paul F.; George, John (18 May 1989). They Never Said It: A Book of Fake Quotes, Misquotes, and Misleading Attributions. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-1980-2222-0.
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