Annaba

Code:23
Type:province
Native name:Annaba Province
Population:609,499 (2008)
Area:1,439 km²
Elevation:18 m
Capital:Annaba

Introduction

Annaba is a coastal province in far northeastern Algeria, home to the ruins of Hippo Regius, the Roman city where Saint Augustine served as bishop and wrote much of his most influential work.

Overview

Annaba's Mediterranean setting is easy to overlook next to its main draw: Hippo Regius, the Roman-era city (earlier a Numidian and Phoenician settlement) whose ruins spread across a hillside just outside the modern city center. Augustine of Hippo, one of Christianity's most significant theologians, served as bishop here from 396 CE until his death in 430, and the basilica built in his honour overlooks the ancient site today. Beyond the ruins, Annaba is a working port city with a genuine, unpolished character and a long corniche along the coast.

Discover Annaba

Hippo Regius and the Basilica of St. Augustine

The ruins of Hippo Regius spread across excavated streets, baths, a forum, and villa foundations, tracing the city's life from its Numidian and Phoenician origins through its Roman-era peak as a major North African port. On the hillside above, the Basilica of St. Augustine — a 19th-century church built to honour the theologian who served as the city's bishop and wrote his Confessions and much of The City of God during his time here — houses a relic said to be a bone from his arm, and its terrace offers a wide view down over the excavated city below.

Annaba City and the Corniche

Modern Annaba is a working port city built around a long Mediterranean corniche, with a lively central square, Cours de la Révolution, and a genuine, less touristed urban character than Algiers or Oran. It functions primarily as the practical base for visiting Hippo Regius, though its waterfront and daily street life reward a wander in their own right.

Ways to Experience This Destination

Roman and Early Christian Heritage

Hippo Regius's ruins and the Basilica of St. Augustine for travellers interested in Roman North Africa and early Christian history.

Coastal City Life

Annaba's Mediterranean corniche and working port character for travellers wanting a less-visited coastal city base.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hippo Regius?

Hippo Regius was a major Roman-era port city on the site of modern Annaba, earlier settled by Phoenicians and Numidians. Its excavated ruins — streets, baths, a forum, and villa foundations — are best known today as the city where Saint Augustine served as bishop from 396 to 430 CE.

Is the Basilica of St. Augustine open to visitors?

Yes — the 19th-century basilica built to honour Augustine sits on the hillside above the Hippo Regius ruins and is open to visitors, with a terrace view over the excavated ancient city below and a relic associated with the saint inside.

Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.