Bab al-Khamis (Tlemcen)
Gate in Tlemcen, Algeria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bab al-Khemis (Arabic: باب الخميس, romanized: Bāb al-Ḫamīs, lit. 'gate of Thursday') is a historical city gate in the old medina of Tlemcen, Algeria.
| Bab al-Khamis | |
|---|---|
باب الخميس | |
Bab al-Khamis | |
 Interactive map of the Bab al-Khamis area | |
General information | |
| Type | city gate |
| Location | Tlemcen, Algeria |
| Coordinates | 34°52′26.86″N 1°19′29.25″W |
Name
The name "Bab al-Khemis" translates to "Thursday Gate." This name is common among fortified cities in the Arab world, often referring to a weekly market that was held outside the gate on Thursdays.[1]
Location
History
Bab al-Khemis was constructed in 1310.[3] The gate dates from the period of the Zayyanid dynasty, when Tlemcen served as the capital of the Zayyanid Kingdom and was a center for trade and culture, comparable to Granada due to its Andalusian influences.[1] The city's strategic location made it a vital point along trade routes connecting the Sahara to Europe.[1]
According to the early 20th-century French scholars William and Georges Marçais, the gate stands as one of the notable Arab monuments of Tlemcen.[2]
