(Photo feature by Fatiha Zamamouch)
ALGIERS, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- The Algerian city of Annaba is a prominent center of culture and rich history, having been inhabited by different cultures through the ages.
Annaba, located 510 klm east of the capital Algiers, was called Hippona (trade port) by the Phoenicians who settled in the city in the 14th century, researcher at the University of Annaba Mohammad bin Gharaybiyeh told KUNA on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, he said that the city was called Hippo Regius during Roman times, where it became a center to export grains to Rome. The city was then named the new Bona or beautiful city in the Islamic era. As the Ottomans entered Algeria in 1533, the city was named Annaba and has developed on a cultural level, while its port became the most prominent in the country for three centuries, he added.
The name Annaba is derived from the jujube trees that spread widely in the city prior to the French colonization, he also said.
The researcher noted that Annaba has many historical attractions including the museum of Hippona, Roman monuments, historical mosques, Augustine of Hippo church among other sites, making the city a main tourist attraction in Algeria.
Annaba is also an attraction for cinema audience as it hosted the Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival from 3-9 December 2015.(end) ft.ag