The weaponry factory of Emir Abdelkader, located in Miliana, Algeria, was established in 1839 to equip his troops in their resistance against the French occupation. Strategically positioned near Mount Zaccar, rich in iron ore, and the Chelif plain, it benefited from abundant natural resources.
The factory produced rifles, pistols, cannons, and other weapons using advanced technology for the time, including a Catalan forge powered by hydraulic energy. The Emir recruited European workers, including French deserters, for their technical expertise.
The factory ceased operations in June 1840 when Miliana was occupied by the colonial army. It was later converted into a bakery by the French.
Rediscovered in 2003, the factory was rehabilitated and turned into a museum in 2007, preserving this important testimony of the arms industry developed by Emir Abdelkader. The site includes manufacturing workshops, storage rooms, a hammam, and 17 rooms, all built in Moorish and Ottoman styles.
Today, this museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into this period of Algerian resistance, showcasing the ingenuity and determination of Emir Abdelkader in his struggle against colonial occupation.
The weaponry factory of Emir Abdelkader, located in Miliana, Algeria, was established in 1839 to equip his troops in their resistance against the French occupation. Strategically positioned near Mount Zaccar, rich in iron ore, and the Chelif plain, it benefited from abundant natural resources.
The factory produced rifles, pistols, cannons, and other weapons using advanced technology for the time, including a Catalan forge powered by hydraulic energy. The Emir recruited European workers, including French deserters, for their technical expertise.
The factory ceased operations in June 1840 when Miliana was occupied by the colonial army. It was later converted into a bakery by the French.
Rediscovered in 2003, the factory was rehabilitated and turned into a museum in 2007, preserving this important testimony of the arms industry developed by Emir Abdelkader. The site includes manufacturing workshops, storage rooms, a hammam, and 17 rooms, all built in Moorish and Ottoman styles.
Today, this museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into this period of Algerian resistance, showcasing the ingenuity and determination of Emir Abdelkader in his struggle against colonial occupation.
