The Aziza Palace (قصر عزيزة in Arabic) is a historic palace located in Beni Tamou, in the Blida Province of Algeria. Built in the early 18th century during the Ottoman period, it is considered an important testament to the architecture of that time in the region.
History
The palace was constructed around 1797 on the orders of Dey Hussein, the Ottoman governor of Algiers, for his daughter Aziza on the occasion of her marriage to the Bey of Constantine. It served as a summer residence for the Dey’s family, who particularly appreciated the pleasant climate and beautiful natural landscapes of the Blida region.
After the French conquest of Algeria, the palace underwent various uses:
- Central prison at the beginning of colonization
- Military barracks
- Residence of French parachutist Lagarde until 1962
Since Algeria’s independence, the palace has been occupied by several families who have made modifications, altering its original architecture.
Architecture
The Aziza Palace is built in the typical Ottoman architectural style, featuring:
- An open-air inner courtyard
- Arcades around the courtyard
- Arched doors and windows
- Thick stone walls
- Wide pillars supporting the structure
It also includes characteristic elements such as:
- A reception hall
- A harem
- Baths
- A garden
The building covers an area of 560 m². Its monumental cedar wood entrance door measures 3.25 meters high and 2.90 meters wide.
The palace was built using seismic-resistant techniques that allowed it to withstand the 1825 earthquake which destroyed most other buildings in the region.
Today, the palace is in a state of advanced decay. The families living there have made many modifications that have altered its original architecture.
The Aziza Palace (قصر عزيزة in Arabic) is a historic palace located in Beni Tamou, in the Blida Province of Algeria. Built in the early 18th century during the Ottoman period, it is considered an important testament to the architecture of that time in the region.
History
The palace was constructed around 1797 on the orders of Dey Hussein, the Ottoman governor of Algiers, for his daughter Aziza on the occasion of her marriage to the Bey of Constantine. It served as a summer residence for the Dey’s family, who particularly appreciated the pleasant climate and beautiful natural landscapes of the Blida region.
After the French conquest of Algeria, the palace underwent various uses:
- Central prison at the beginning of colonization
- Military barracks
- Residence of French parachutist Lagarde until 1962
Since Algeria’s independence, the palace has been occupied by several families who have made modifications, altering its original architecture.
Architecture
The Aziza Palace is built in the typical Ottoman architectural style, featuring:
- An open-air inner courtyard
- Arcades around the courtyard
- Arched doors and windows
- Thick stone walls
- Wide pillars supporting the structure
It also includes characteristic elements such as:
- A reception hall
- A harem
- Baths
- A garden
The building covers an area of 560 m². Its monumental cedar wood entrance door measures 3.25 meters high and 2.90 meters wide.
The palace was built using seismic-resistant techniques that allowed it to withstand the 1825 earthquake which destroyed most other buildings in the region.
Today, the palace is in a state of advanced decay. The families living there have made many modifications that have altered its original architecture.
