Yemma Gouraya

About

Yemma Gouraya is named for the patron saint of Bejaia, Gouraya, who once lived here. Gouraya scaled the steep seaside mountain and built herself a settlement to meditate in solitude, though she would still welcome visitors for teaching or general advice. After her death, the Sufi scholar was interred in a traditional dome-shaped mausoleum. But when the French arrived, they demolished her grave site and built a fort on the site, which was itself later destroyed. The Yemma Gouraya Biosphere protects the entire seaside mountain environment, and hiking the park’s trails, you’ll encounter an impressive variety of animals and plants, both in the park's marine ecosystem and vegetation. Should you have the ambition (and physical fitness), try to hike to the top of the mountain - you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the city of Bejaia, and you may come across a Barbary macaque on the way!