Algeria is a country that achieved independence less than sixty years ago but its history spans as far back as the early man who hunted in the forests of the Sahara’s once lush desert. It’s a country of contrasting landscapes – of mountains, sea and sand – made up of a multitude of Berber tribes and long-standing cultural traditions.

This one hour special tracks the history of Algeria through its spectacular architecture and buildings.

We visit ancient Numidians tombs of the rulers of a unique North African civilisation before Roman times, and the fantastic Roman cities of Timgad, Tipasa and Djemila.

When the Arabs came, bringing Islam, they left ancient walled cities in the Sahara and exquisite palaces in Tlemcen- still here today.

The beauty of these palaces were matched by the Ottomans who ruled here for nearly 400 years . Their legacy can be seen in winding streets of the Kasbah in the capital Algiers and their palaces in cities such as Oran and Constantine.

With French invasion in the 19th century they turned these cities into mini versions of French cities such as Nice and Marseille. This influence can still be seen today in the boulevards and buildings throughout the country.

Credits

Narrator:

Helen Walker

With Thanks To:

Algerian National Tourism Office

Development Et De La Promotion Des Arts Du Ministere De La Culture D’Algerie

Embassy Of Algeria, UK

Algerian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

Fort Santa Cruz

Notre Dame D’afrique In Algier

Jardin D’essai – Hamma Botanical Garden

Centre D’interpretation Du Costume, Tlemcen

El Mansoura, Tlemcen

Ahmed Bey Palace

The Museum Of Modern & Contemporary Art, Algiers

Tantonville Café, Algiers

Cruis Wine

El Bey Restaurant

“ArT4u” Gallery, Algiers

Archive:

Critical Past

Kouas Khoubaib

Pond5

Skycam

Contributors:

Amel Soltani

Akli  Amrouche

Amor Guellil

Alia Assio Hodji

Abidat Amina

Alia Assio

Amina Miri Hana

Professor Amira K Bennison

Amrouche Akli

Brahim Hadji

Bourbia Radia

Benachour Bey

Belkahla Ahmed

Benaissa

Bousiamar Hamid

Benamirouche Boualem

Chiali Nassima

Djihad Mahamdi

Echikr Morap Virginie

Farid Ait Ouali

Guy Bonifacio

Hadj Hammou

Hassani Mohamed

Professor John Whitehouse

Father Jose Maria Cantal

Kader Bensalah

Kamel Ramadan

Khaled Meghnine

Leila Assas

Mahiout Khaled

Mohamed Jaoudet Gassouna

Mabrouk Ferroudi

Maravilllas Puertas

Nacer Eddine

Nerat Houssine

Nehad Benz

Noureddine Alane

Nedjar Hocine

Rahmen Belleili

Rouag Maidan

Rached Mehadji

Ramzi Turk

Saadi Samir

Sabour Salim

Toumi Al Krim

Yasmine Terki

Zaki Souffi

Zakaria Soufi

Interpreter:

Maria Ventura

Titles and graphics:

Simon Ross

Fixer:

Amina Castaing

Camera:

Emilio Rey Soto

Salem Amina

Zemouchi Abdelchafi

Drone Operator:

Emilio Rey Soto

Zemouchi Abdelchafi

Facilities:

Guiltfree Post

Dubbing Mixer:

John Purcell

Editor:

Helen Walker

Online Editor:

Danny Davis

Music By:

Paul Mounsey

Amanda Kramer

Colin Winston Fletcher

Malcom Laws & Nainita Desai

Mark Taylor

Martyn Swain

Michael Conn

The Sheiks

West India Company

Post Production Coordinator:

Emilia Crudo

Jake Michael Christian

Production Accountant:

Win Win

Production Manager:

Maria Ventura

Edit Director:

Ian Cross

Produced and Directed by Ian Sciacaluga

Executive Producer:

Ian Cross

produced by Pilot Film and TV Productions for Voyage, France

Pilot Productions MMXXI