Oran | Santa Cruz & History 🏰🌍

To prevent attacks from Algerians, the Spanish began constructing a fortress on Mount Aïdour shortly after their occupation began. In 1563, the Marquis of Santa Cruz built a fort atop the mountain, named after him—Santa Cruz Fort—which was completed in 1604. 🏗️ As our driver navigated the winding roads up the mountain, the view expanded before us. The Santa Cruz Chapel stood bathed in afternoon sunlight, glowing warmly. ⛪✨ From the chapel, stairs led up to Santa Cruz Castle (which closes at 4 PM—plan ahead!). Given its defensive purpose, the fortress walls are dotted with gun ports, and walking through it feels like stepping back in time, as if Spanish soldiers might march past with their rifles. 🔫⚔️ From the castle’s vantage point, nearly half of Oran unfolds below—harbor, roads, and cityscape—a breathtaking sight. 🌆 By 1790, the cost of defending the city grew too high, and King Charles IV of Spain negotiated its handover to the Dey of Algiers, marking the end of Spanish rule. A brief Ottoman period followed, and after further upheavals, Algeria entered the French colonial era (1830–1962). 🇫🇷 As one of France’s longest-held overseas territories, French Algeria attracted hundreds of thousands of European settlers, known as colons (later pieds-noirs). Among them was the famed writer Albert Camus. 📖 The French colonization left deep scars—linguistic (French dominance) and cultural (forced assimilation)—violently stripping away traditions and leaving behind a legacy of pain. 💔 Yet today, Oran’s streets still echo with French architecture, and French remains widely spoken. 🗣️🍷 While colonialism brought suffering, the city’s cultural diversity is undeniably captivating—a bittersweet blend of history and resilience. Bonus: Spanish Restaurant Recommendation! 🇪🇸🍽️ Name: L’Écume d’Argent (but search "Bury Wahrang" on maps—it’s a multi-level food hub, and this spot is on the 1st/2nd floor). Must-try: Their black squid rice (arroz negro) is incredible! 🦑🍚 #Oran #Algeria #AfricanLife #TravelDiaries #HistoryLovers #ColonialHeritage