Martyrs' Square
Martyrs' Square places you in the heart of the Casbah of Algiers close enough to the sea to feel it’s cool breeze. What make the sight unique is its metro hub and the Roman, Ottoman, and Byzantian ruins that rest beneath the earth. Located in 2009 during the construction of the Place des Martyrs metro station. Spanning an area of almost two acres the Square is an architectural treasure trove of lost Algerian history and Culture. The Es Sayida mosque, by the Ottoman Empire, the structure was reduced to ruin in 1831 by the French. Further estivation and construction hope to discover more coinage and pottery to better develop a picture of Algiers past. This intermixing of modern development with the activity of an archaeological dig is providing valuable insight as to how to intertwine these two opposing forces in a rapidly urbanizing world. Furthermore, this site marks a point in history deeply tied to Algiers, within its very soil; point in which its people were not subjugated to French colonialism. In this hidden gem, 7th century Byzantine ruins are being skillfully removed by eager, non-European archaeologists and piecing together a piece of history suppressed by western colonialism until Algeria gained its independence in 1962. Furthermore, this may be the most valuable archaeological project conducted by the post-French government and shows the government’s commitment to national heritage. Today the name Myters' Square is used to honor of those who made sacrifices for Algeria.
Djamaa el Djazaïr
Djamaa El-Djazair is as much a testimony of Algerian independence as it is a testimony to the faith of Algeria’s people. First envisioned by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, This Mosque is the third largest in Africa and has the largest minaret in the world. Prior to 1962 the largest houses of worship within Algiers were the Christian Churches visited predominantly by European immigrants and Peed Noirs. This massive engineering accomplishment is a testimony to the post-colonial cultural shift Algiers has experienced since independence. Construction on the site started in 2012 and would not finish until 2020. Since the departure of the French from Algiers, it has been the goal of each Algerian administration to remove the French cultural permeation of the city. The impressive stature of the mosque will act as a beacon of faith and help with tourism in the city. Furthermore, its large compound helps meet the dynamic needs of the rapidly expanding and increasingly diverse population with a prayer room, large enough to host 36,000 people. The mosque features a first of its kind fully invasive audio system. This system allows for
Palais des Rais
Palais des Rais, also known as (Toppana and Bastion 23): Construction on this structure first began in 1576 under Dey Ramdhan Pasha. The site received architectural modifications from the French throughout occupation with the building serving as a consulate, girls school, and many other functions in its long life. Palais des Rais first became a protected historic site in 1903 when it was designated "Groupe de maisons mauresques", which translates to Group of Moorish Houses. In 1991 this status was upgraded to universal heritage site by UNESCO, gaining the city international recognition. Today in the center of the compound pedestrians will find a museum dedicated to the expression of art. The placement of this venue is part of the City and National Government’s active pursuit of enhancing the cultural experience of Algiers. Also located in the heart of the Casbah this piece of history fits like a glove next to Byzantian artifacts, and modern architecture. This site is among the many that lure potential tourists into Algiers allowing them to experience the unique Algerian culture story of Algiers.
Basilique Notre Dame d'Afrique
The site of the Basilique was first established by two young women by the names of Mademoiselle Agarithe and Anna Cinquin when they installed a statuette of Mary in the hollow of an old tree. The location then known as Notre Dame du Ravin quickly became a sight of pilgrimage and upon prodding from Agarithe and Cinquin, Bishop Pavel made the decision to erect a church on the site. Construction of Basilique Notre Dame d'Afrique took approximately 14 years being carried out between 1858 and 1866 under the guidance of Bishop Pavy with architectural modifications taking place in 1872. This facility was home to a series of theological and philosophical thinkers throughout its life including Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. The Basilique Notre Dame d’Afrique is a today a historical remnant of former French rule. During the age of colonization, it was not uncommon for colonial powers to attempt to convert local cultures to their faith, in the case of the French, that was Catholicism. The existence of the Basilique “having survived Algeria’s war for independence and its preservation today is a testament to the cultural tolerance of the Algerian people. While sights like the Djamaa el Djazaïr dominate the modern landscape, the Basilique stands in the shadow of the present reminding the world of the past and leaving a French touch in the very Arabic Algiers. Additionally, the site provides an appeal to tourists interested in the diverse theological changes within Algiers, a city built on cities long forgotten.
European St. Eugene Cemetery
The European St. Eugene Cemetery is a massive burial site located adjacent to the Basilique Notre Dame d'Afrique. It’s construction began in 1849 with its last and most recent burial taking place in 2015. The European St. Eugene Cemetery contains soldiers from multiple French wars, with Muslims, Christians, and Jewish people all buried within. The Jewish section of the cemetery is massive taking up 6 hectors of land alone. Since 1962 the French government has worked with the Algerian government to preserve and relocate as needed the resting places of those who died in the service of France, with the French department of veterans affairs playing a major role. This cemetery is extremely important to the large Jewish minority of Algiers and the surrounding area. Being one of the largest and oldest Jewish burial sites in the area, the site is home to the remains of thousands of Rabies. By working with the French government and ensuring the preservation of a predominantly Jewish cemetery, the city of Algiers and the Algerian government ensure that all cultures within their society are represented and respected. By preserving this cemetery alongside its neighboring French era church, the Algerian people show a level of cultural toleration that was denied them during French occupation. This tolerance and the open cultural tolerance of Algiers makes the city far more interesting than an ethnocentric hub of civilization.
Trois Horloges
Do not be fooled by the clock covered post resting in the center of the three-way intersection known as Trois Horloges. This area once known as Bab-el-Oued was a thriving cultural mix of locals and European émigré during the early days of French colonial power in Algiers. It is here that the French experimented with the integration of Moorish and French architecture; adorning French designed multistory structures with Moorish exteriors, the French hopped to bridge the initial cultural divide with the locals. At one point this was the center hub of a thriving district, home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim businesses, a time before independence. These streets were once the land of opportunity and cultural blending where coffee could be enjoyed before Sunday mass, and Spanish music could be heard over Italian food. Though simple in appearance, it is the rich and unifying history of this district that makes the Trios Horologes so important. Its place in modern Algiers serves two purposes. First, it plays to the nostalgia of the old city, serving as a reminder of what life had once been like under the French. Second, The loneliness of the Trios Horloges and the absence of what made the Bab-el-Qued a suburb are overshadowed by the rapid development of post-colonial Algiers. This shows the world Algiers cultural respect for the past, as the press on into the future.
Museum of Modern Art of Algiers
The Museum of Modern Art of Algiers (MaMa) is a large African art museum located in downtown Algiers. The old building was first inaugurated for its purpose as a museum in 2007. Built in the early 1900’s “some time before 1909” the French building is outwardly adorned with Moorish aesthetics, much like the former neighborhood of Bab-el-Oued. Standing over five stories tall this building once acted as an upscale department store almost exclusively used by Europeans and pied noiars. The museum was opened as a program to help project Algiers as the global capital of Arabic culture. This museum helps to promote the work of Artists from the African continent and provides Algiers with a Unique cultural facility. Much of the cultural development and preservation undertaken by Algeria since decolonization has been funded with the revenue from its immense oil sales. Nonviolent cultural development has provided Algeria, and the city of Algiers to project power on the international stage. Strong cultural institutions such as MaMa, also allows for the exchange of art between receptive nations and institutions, building cooperation between culturally developing neighbors on the global stage. Additionally, by reusing the old French department store Algiers is able to hold onto some small part of their former French experience, while moving forward into the city it’s people wishes to see.
Emir Abdelkader Place
Emir Abdelkader Place Is a large and beautifully landscaped tribute to the last Algerian Sultan to resist the French invasion in the early 1830’s. Emir Abdelkader whose full name was ʿAbd al-Qādir ibn Muḥyī al-Dīn ibn Musṭafā al-Ḥasanī al-Jazāʾirī, was projected as a national hero by the administration of the early Algerian state, to which he is accredited for founding. Outclassed by French technology and combat training Abdelkader and his followers relied on rural populations and the Moroccan Sultanate for support in their struggle against the French. In 1846 Abdelkader surrendered himself to the French serving a short prison term before migrating to the middle east and writing Rappel à l’intelligent, avis à l’indifférent. This statue was erected to honor the heroic past of Abdelkader and his struggle that would not culminate into independence until 1962 roughly 80 years after his death. This monument is an important representation in the national story of Algeria. There never was a doubt within any colonial territory that the colonial power administrating that land, was far better armed and trained to kill. By erecting monuments to Algerian history, and shaping its future through historical and cultural investments, monuments like the place of Emir Abdelkader help to shape Algeria’s global identity. At its core, the statue represents the enduring legacy of a nation whose history was put on pause for French expansion, memorialized forever through art. While its location of the statue just one block from the MaMa, creates a hub of culture at the heart of the city.
Villa Sésini
If ghosts reside anywhere within the city of Algiers, you will find them at villa sésini. This seemingly innocent location was used as the central hub of torture and interrogation by the French during the French Algerian war. It is in these walls that all threats to the French government, real or perceived, were detained, tortured, and often executed. Trial was not provided nor were witnesses required, as the war progressed so to the violence inside the walls of villa sésini played a major role in the French defeat. In a war notorious for torture, this building was among the worst examples, sparing neither woman nor child, the French would use the villa sésini until the very end of the war. To the Algerians this villa is and always will be a house of horrors, to the world it is a reminder of what evils humanity is capable of. While not the most famous tourist attraction within the city of Algiers, villa sésini is a classic example of colonial architecture and contains within its walls thousands of untold stories. This site is largely in limbo awaiting what the future may hold for it. In the past there have been discussions of turning the facility into a museum of torture to show the world the horrors of the practice. While this idea has largely stalled the building still finds itself under government jurisdiction, awaiting decisions and the allocation of resources to find a brighter future than its dark past. By preserving the building Algiers retains the villa sésini’s opportunity at historical redemption, much like the Holocaust, atrocities committed by man should never be forgotten.
Monument of the Martyr
Martyrs' Memorial standing 92 meters (302 ft) tall was first devised by former Algerian president Houari Boumédiène to commemorate the Algerian struggle for independence. After 9 months of labor and construction the monument Opened in 1982 the unveiling took during the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. Moudjahids (statues of freedom fighters) rest at the base of the three-palm leaf shaped pillars, one soldier standing watch at each. These Moudjahids each represent a phase of the struggle for Algerian independence. The monument was first conceptualized by Algerian artist Bachir Yellès with two goal in mind. First, Yellès wanted to honor the hundreds of thousands of Algeirans that died due to the heavy hand of their former colonial oppressors. Second, the whole of the sight was originally ment to be an open space for the public, a focal point within a thriving economic and cultural zone of the city. The monument itself is quite impressive and clearly shows the values the Algerian government puts on the lives of the freedom fighters who liberated the nation. Its towering structure can be seen from the coast as you move deeper into the city serving as an eternal symbol of an Algiers for Algerians. This beautiful statue while not the recreational hub it was initially designed to be, it serves as a reminder to the people of Algiers of a life before 1962. The facility also showcases the wealth and power the Algerian government has developed since its independence from France. Furthermore, its short distance from several museums and historic site’s makes the monument a must visit for any local out for the day, and any tourist in for the weekend.
