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For those born and bred there,
Blida is more than a hometown, it is a culture and lifestyle of its own
Welcome to Mahlaki ya el Blida, a site dedicate to the city of Blida and its nostalgia. To start your journey into Blida, click on the links on the top bar or go the home page main links.
Blida is a city in Algeria, north of Africa. It is nicknamed and known as 'el Blida el Ourida', meaning 'Blida the little rose'. The word Blida originates from the classical Arabic word 'Boulaida', meaning small country or city. It is the diminutive of the Arabic word bilad (country)/belda (city), which becomes in Algerian Arabic dialect Blida and used by the French during their colonisation of Algeria. The city is also known as 'Madinat el Wouroud', in French it is known as 'la ville des roses' meaning the 'town of roses'.
Blida is a city in Algeria, north of Africa. It is nicknamed and known as 'el Blida el Ourida', meaning 'Blida the little rose'. The word Blida originates from the classical Arabic word 'Boulaida', meaning small country or city. It is the diminutive of the Arabic word bilad (country)/belda (city), which becomes in Algerian Arabic dialect Blida and used by the French during their colonisation of Algeria. The city is also known as 'Madinat el Wouroud', in French it is known as 'la ville des roses' meaning the 'town of roses'.
GENERAL VIEW OF BLIDA: From the hills
The little rose
Blida, the ‘town of roses’, was full of gardens, always lively and blooming with roses and flowers, it being somewhat of a tradition for the residents to fill their gardens with flowers. Blida was recognisable not only by all the roses that bloom in the city but by the flowers' fragrance, which could be smelled daily throughout the neighbourhoods and streets of the town.
Every spring, 'La bataille des fleures’ (flower competition) was held, and the best display was rewarded. The city was alive with the colours and fragrances of all kinds of flowers. Unfortunately, in the last few decades this has vanished and the town has become a shadow of its former self. In more recent times, however, the town’s inhabitants and the local authorities have led the launch of some initiatives and campaigns of renovation to restore the town’s prestigious look of the past. There are encouraging signs that Blida may be on its way to bloom like a flower again.
Every spring, 'La bataille des fleures’ (flower competition) was held, and the best display was rewarded. The city was alive with the colours and fragrances of all kinds of flowers. Unfortunately, in the last few decades this has vanished and the town has become a shadow of its former self. In more recent times, however, the town’s inhabitants and the local authorities have led the launch of some initiatives and campaigns of renovation to restore the town’s prestigious look of the past. There are encouraging signs that Blida may be on its way to bloom like a flower again.
The town
From its narrow streets and labyrinth of alleyways in the old Douirette and Bab Ezzaouia, to its traditional souk and Placet el Arab, Blida is relatively new when compared with some older cities in Algeria, it has a rich and significant history which is still apparent today. This is seen in the sparkling river of Sidi el Kebir, the Qobbet Sidi Yacoub, the Turkish built mosque of el Hanafi and the 'Place Ettoute', the main square.
Offering sublime natural scenery and geography with Chrea and the Atlas mountains as its backdrop; Blida sits in the middle of the green plantations of the vat and fertile Mitidja plain. With a mix of Arab, Turkish, Andalusian and modern European architecture, Blida has always had a distinctive and particular appeal for those born and bred in the area. It owes its long-held historical significance to Sidi Ahmed el Kebir, a pious and wise man who founded the town of Blida with the local tribes and Turks.
We hope you enjoy your journey into Blida and we welcome your comments and suggestions.
We hope you enjoy your journey into Blida and we welcome your comments and suggestions.
mahlakiyaelblida.org is not a commercial website, it is based on voluntary work and does not benefit from any profits.
