El Kantara
Place in Biskra Province, Algeria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
El Kantara (El Kantara "الكنترة" word comes from Latin "Centuriation" (Derja: meaning a bridge) [1][2]) is a town and commune in Biskra Province, Algeria. The 1911 Baedeker travel guide described it as "one of the most important caravan-stations in E. Algeria." The town is well known for the eponymous gorge nearby, described by locals as the "Mouth of the Desert".[3]
El Kantara القنطرة | |
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  El Kantara القنطرة Location within Algeria | |
| Coordinates: 35.2166°N 5.7104°E | |
| Country |  Algeria |
| Province | Biskra Province |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
The gorge is narrow, at only 40 metres (130 ft) wide, but the walls can be as high as 120 m (390 ft).[2]
History
Roman soldiers of the Third Augustan Legion dubbed the gorge Calceus Herculis (English: Hercules' Kick), in reference to the divine hero Hercules' legendary strength.[2] They also constructed an arched bridge over the river in the bottom of the gorge, in order to allow caravans and military supplies to pass through the town with ease.[2]
In the second century A.D., the town and bridge were guarded by Syrian archers who are thought to have planted the first date palm grove in the region.[2]
Present infrastructure
A highway and railroad follow the same path as the ancient Roman road through the town.[2]
Notable people
- Saïd Chengriha, senior military leader
Gallery
Above the Roman bridge in Kantara Gorge
Below the bridge
El Kantara
Palm trees in El Kantara
The Red Village
Archaeological museum
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