El Kantara
El Kantara القنطرة | |
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  El Kantara القنطرة | |
| Coordinates:35°13′00″N5°42′37″E/ 35.2166°N 5.7104°E | |
| Country |  Algeria |
| Province | Biskra Province |
| Time zone | UTC+1(CET) |
El Kantara(El Kantara"الكنترة" word comes fromLatin"Centuriation"(Derja:meaning a bridge)[1][2]) is a town and commune inBiskra Province,Algeria.The 1911Baedekertravel guide described it as "one of the most important caravan-stations in E. Algeria." The town is well known for the eponymousgorgenearby, described by locals as the "Mouth of the Desert".[3]
The gorge is narrow, at only 40 metres (130 ft) wide, but the walls can be as high as 120 m (390 ft).[2]
History
[edit]Roman soldiers of theThird Augustan Legiondubbed the gorgeCalceus Herculis(English: Hercules' Kick), in reference to thedivineheroHercules' legendary strength.[2]They also constructed an arched bridge over the river in the bottom of the gorge, in order to allow caravans and military supplies to pass through the town with ease.[2]
In thesecond century A.D.,the town and bridge were guarded bySyrianarcherswho are thought to have planted the firstdate palmgrove in the region.[2]
Present infrastructure
[edit]A highway and railroad follow the same path as the ancientRoman roadthrough the town.[2]
Notable people
[edit]- Saïd Chengriha,senior military leader
Gallery
[edit]-
above the Roman bridge in Katara Gorge -
below the bridge -
El Kantara -
References
[edit]
- ^"صول الزراعة في بلاد المغرب القديم"(PDF).
- ^abcdefScheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980).Natural Wonders of the World.United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. pp. 197–198.ISBN0-89577-087-3.
- ^"The Ravine, I, El Cantara, Algeria".World Digital Library.1899.Retrieved2013-09-26.
External links
[edit]- Images of El-Kantara(including bridge and mosque) in Manar al-Athar digital heritage photo archive resource
35°13′31″N5°42′23″E/ 35.22528°N 5.70639°E
Les grandes Familles d'origine Arabe d'El Kantara sont: ABDELAZIZE, BELLAL, HOUFANI, KHIREDDINE, SAADLAOUD, SOURI, YOUB et ZEROUG. Le reste des familles sont d'origine Berbère.
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