GHOUFI BALCONIES — Attraction in Ghassira

Algeria is beautiful, but beauty is not enough if you don’t feel safe. Unfortunately, we had a terrifying experience. Two days ago, we were at the GHOUFI BALCONIES, enjoying the view with my foreign family-in-law, showing them how many beautiful places we have.

Suddenly, a group of teenagers arrived on motorcycles. One of them drove his motorcycle beside me and my four-year-old daughter, revving the engine, causing smoke and loud noise right in our faces. My husband turned around and saw our daughter crying from the noise. He said, “NOT LIKE THAT.” In response, the whole group approached us, and one of them said, “اسمحلي” (excuse me).

At that moment, our priority was to calm our daughter down. Secondly, they need to LEARN HOW TO RESPECT THEMSELVES AND THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM.

One of them, acting like the leader, started using bad language. My husband, who doesn’t understand Arabic, couldn’t grasp the full extent of what was being said. My husband tried to explain that it’s inappropriate to rev motorcycles so close to families — and especially right in our faces. However, this guy, who seemed to think of himself as the boss, continued using offensive words. He even made threats, saying that in this holy month of Ramadan, he would do this and that to us. My father tried to explain that my husband is a foreigner, politely asking them to stop, but that guy just kept showing off.

We have traveled the world, but it’s a pity that I cannot proudly show my own country due to the lack of respect and safety. We went back home with our heads down; all the beauty of the place was overshadowed by the behavior of a few locals who failed to represent their country in a positive light.

A final word to those teenagers: instead of putting effort into ruining the image of our country, maybe focus on replacing the national flag that was there, which was...

It is said that it is similar to the American city of Colorado, as the balconies of Gofi are considered one of the most important archaeological and natural areas in eastern Algeria, which is located in the province of Batna, where undulating rocky chains extend up from the bottom of the valley with a height of 60 meters.

What added to the charm of this area are the canyons and the mud and stone houses that form a group of villages scattered on the sides of the White Valley, or as it is called in the Berber language, "or the most abundant hope", and it is six villages: Hitchlat, Athihi, Atmansour, Athmoun, Atfateh, Athuriyash, and its mountains that consist It is a metamorphic sedimentary rock, similar to the "Rocky Mountains and Grand Canyon" in the United States. In the colonial era, France took advantage of this place, because of its attractive natural beauty, as it built a residence for artists and wealthy people who used to go to Goofy to draw inspiration from its scenery.

As for its hanging houses, which were formed centuries ago, or the “semi-cave” houses built of white stones, mud and palm trunks, they overlook the foot of the valley like balconies, hence the name “Gofi Balconies”, as it is believed that the Berber queen “The Priestess” built these houses To protect its army when needed, it takes the form of caves in a high rocky mountain and rises from the ground by forty meters, and these old stone houses carved in the rock high on the banks of the White Valley, formed wonderful balconies overlooking the bottom...

The Gofi Balconies, located in the municipality of Ghasira in Batna, are among the most picturesque tourist attractions in the Aures region. They captivate visitors with their stunning landscapes, drawing tourists from across the country and making the area a significant natural tourism destination overlooking the capital of Ziban. The region’s mountainous terrain and semi-desert climate add to its unique charm. Situated approximately 100 km from the capital of Aures, it is separated from the Biskra desert only by Mount Ahmar Khado. Visitors to Gofi are particularly drawn to its rich archaeological, historical, and touristic significance, highlighted by breathtaking views of the orchards along the White Valley, as well as the impressive balconies and castles that enhance the beauty of the...