History of the Port
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Transformations and Developments Over the Centuries
History of the Port
Like other cities in North Africa, Béjaia has a rich historical heritage. It served as a beacon and a safe haven for vessels that, over time, docked along its shores. Its strategic location and vast bay in the middle of the western Mediterranean, combined with the presence of a river supporting agricultural cultivation, were significant assets for its development. This dual advantage has characterized the city from ancient times to the present day and has shaped its future. The Soummam Valley, acting as a vital lifeline, has always nourished the city by providing products from the hinterland. Yet, it was undoubtedly human ingenuity that played a decisive role in the creation of the settlement. When the Andalusian geographer Al-Bakri completed his book describing Africa, mentioning the small port of Béjaia frequented by Andalusian sailors, the city received a new “birth certificate” that would elevate it to the status of a regional capital.
The city then developed all the activities characteristic of a major metropolis: an important political center that housed two dynasties (the Hammadid and Hafsid), reflected in architecture through the construction of imposing walls, fortresses, numerous buildings, and palace gardens. As a commercial port in the Mediterranean, the city had a large arsenal for building a merchant fleet and a war fleet. Ships from various countries docked there to unload their goods. Serving as an intellectual and religious hub across the Maghreb and the Mediterranean, the city was home to colleges that trained scholars in all disciplines, who would later disseminate their knowledge in major cities such as Tlemcen, Tunis, Fez, Córdoba, Granada, Murcia, Pisa, Cairo, and Damascus.
