Setif

About

Once an important trade hub and now a lively student city, Setif is most known for being the center of a century-long controversy over “Algeria’s most symbolic fountain”. Built by a French architect in 1899, the El Fouara Fountain in the city center depicts a naked woman, and has been the center of debate between Algeria’s secularists and Islamists since its erection. The statue was vandalized several times, but it still stands and remains the symbol of the city. Apart from the fountain, Setif is known for its ancient roots, having been part of the Phoenician and Roman empires and the kingdom of Numidia. The city’s archeological museum is the prime place to explore this history: small but beautiful, it's often described as one of the best museums in Algeria, particularly for its 4th and 5th century mosaics. About an hour outside of town, the UNESCO-listed Djemila ruins showcase the area's ancient history, and are one of the finest testaments of Roman architecture in North Africa, featuring a forum, temples, basilicas, triumphal arches, and houses. Daytrip offers the ruins as a separate stop.