An old powder magazine during the colonial era converted into a museum since 1996, it houses a valuable collection of relics from different ages.
The archaeological pieces inside the powder magazine and in its small courtyard, which extends to the current headquarters of the APC of Chlef, are a condensed history of the tumultuous Chelif Valley. One of the curiosities of the El Asnam museum is undoubtedly the remains of the old basilica of Saint-Reparatus, which was built in 324 AD and destroyed by a violent earthquake in 475.
Upon entering the circular-shaped building, the visitor is transported to another era, that of the relics, including brick kilns, cedar wood coffins, conical stone mills, funerary lamps, pottery, gold, silver, and bronze medals, and marble tablets representing altars.
Bas-relief at the El Asnam museum
The eye is also drawn to the piano that sits inside the building, brought in the luggage of a colonist in 1849. One can also admire a collection of war weapons consisting of rifles and blades used during the colonization of the Chelif Valley. Various kitchen utensils, old tapestries from the south of the country, everyday leather items, and traditional outfits from several regions of Algeria are displayed haphazardly.
Indeed, the El Asnam museum is a must-visit for all those interested in the history of Algeria. While the museum collection is not very rich compared to those housed in the major national museums, the detour is worth it.
The powder magazine or “Dar El Baroud,” as it is called in Arabic, was built in 1847 on the orders of General Cavaignac, whose bronze bust is displayed at the Abdelmadjid Méziane national museum in Chlef.
It was in the aftermath of independence that the idea of turning this place into a local museum was conceived. Located in the heart of the city, practically a few meters from the old mosque, the powder magazine is a building that attracts attention with its atypical architectural form and the materials with which it was built. What better way to make it a place of memory that reminds Algerians of the dark years of the colonial conquest, which saw a modern army massacre hundreds of thousands of civilians who refused submission and slavery.
An old powder magazine during the colonial era converted into a museum since 1996, it houses a valuable collection of relics from different ages.
The archaeological pieces inside the powder magazine and in its small courtyard, which extends to the current headquarters of the APC of Chlef, are a condensed history of the tumultuous Chelif Valley. One of the curiosities of the El Asnam museum is undoubtedly the remains of the old basilica of Saint-Reparatus, which was built in 324 AD and destroyed by a violent earthquake in 475.
Upon entering the circular-shaped building, the visitor is transported to another era, that of the relics, including brick kilns, cedar wood coffins, conical stone mills, funerary lamps, pottery, gold, silver, and bronze medals, and marble tablets representing altars.
Bas-relief at the El Asnam museum
The eye is also drawn to the piano that sits inside the building, brought in the luggage of a colonist in 1849. One can also admire a collection of war weapons consisting of rifles and blades used during the colonization of the Chelif Valley. Various kitchen utensils, old tapestries from the south of the country, everyday leather items, and traditional outfits from several regions of Algeria are displayed haphazardly.
Indeed, the El Asnam museum is a must-visit for all those interested in the history of Algeria. While the museum collection is not very rich compared to those housed in the major national museums, the detour is worth it.
The powder magazine or “Dar El Baroud,” as it is called in Arabic, was built in 1847 on the orders of General Cavaignac, whose bronze bust is displayed at the Abdelmadjid Méziane national museum in Chlef.
It was in the aftermath of independence that the idea of turning this place into a local museum was conceived. Located in the heart of the city, practically a few meters from the old mosque, the powder magazine is a building that attracts attention with its atypical architectural form and the materials with which it was built. What better way to make it a place of memory that reminds Algerians of the dark years of the colonial conquest, which saw a modern army massacre hundreds of thousands of civilians who refused submission and slavery.
