Achir

Achir
آشير
Photo of ruins
View of courtyard of the Zirid palace
LocationKef Lakhdar,  Algeria
RegionMédéa
Coordinates35°56′15″N 3°14′24″E / 35.93750°N 3.24000°E / 35.93750; 3.24000
Altitude1,400 m (4,593 ft)
TypeFortified palace city
History
Founded935/6
PeriodsZirid

Achir or Ashir (Arabic: آشير) is a medieval city in Algeria, first capital of the Muslim dynasty of the Zirids, which ruled under Fatimid suzerainty in the 10th–11th centuries. It is located at an altitude of 4,593 feet in the Titteri Mountains, in the current Algerian commune of Kef Lakhdar (Wilaya of Médéa).[1][2]

The city is mentioned by Ibn Khaldun, who indicates that Mount Tetri is the kingdom of the Zirids, in which the ruins of Achir are located.[3] Archaeological excavations have determined the existence of two Zirid sites in this area.

  1. ^ Martin, Claude (1963). Histoire de l'Algérie française, 1830-1962 (in French). Éditions des 4 fils Aymon.
  2. ^ Dussaud, René (1958). "Vingt-cinq ans d'histoire algérienne. Recherches et Publications (1931- 1956)". Syria. Archéologie, Art et histoire. 35 (1): 141–142.
  3. ^ Revue de l'Orient et de L'Algérie et de colonies: bulletin et actes de la Société orientale (in French). Société orientale. 1854.