Located 21 miles southeast of M'sila near the Hodna mountains, this was the capital city of the Hammadite Empire during the 11th century AD.
During the first years of the Christian Era, Cirta prospered as part of a confederation of Roman city-states and eventually as a colony of Cuicul, site of the city of Djemila, becoming one of the wealthiest cities in all of North Africa. During the 4th century the town was destroyed as the result of an uprising, but rebuilt by the Emperor Constantine who gave the city its modern name.
Site of North Africa's most extensive and best preserved Roman ruins. The ancient city was important strategically in defending Numidia and flourished for several centuries. It was destroyed by Berbers in the 7th century. Excavations uncovered the city in 1881.
Lynn Salmon <>{
Last updated: August 2, 2021
