Dar Meriem

Dar Meriem, also known as Dar Bengana, is a residence from the time of colonial Algeria. It is located in Skikda, 471 km east of Algiers, in the Skikda wilaya, formerly called Philippeville during the French period. The palace is named after Marie Cuttoli, a patron of modern tapestry, wife of Paul Cuttoli, a French politician of Algerian origin and a radical socialist senator. The palace was classified as a national heritage site to be preserved in 1981.

The palace was built in 1913, initially named Château Cuttoli, in reference to its first owner Paul Cuttoli, and it carries two other names. The first, Meriem Azza, is officially recognized, and the second, Château Bengana, is still maintained by collective memory. Paul Cuttoli built it in honor of his wife, whose name was Marie, and not in honor of the Virgin Mary as local stories suggest. On the wall of Cuttoli’s office, one can read in Arabic calligraphy:

« هذا القصر بناه كوتيلي عزة لمريم »

which translates to French as “Paul Cuttoli is the builder of this palace in honor of Myriam.”

The second owner of the palace was Boulakhras Bengana, the son of Si Bouaziz ben M’hamed ben Gana, one of the great figures of the Algerian Muslim world during the French colonization, who used to spend his vacations in this castle. The purchase of this palace by Bengana occurred after the death of Paul Cuttoli in 1949. His wife Marie returned to Skikda to receive condolences from the Governor of Algeria, Marcel-Edmond Naegelen, and the entire French political class at Dar Meriem. Marie stayed in Skikda for a few more weeks to handle the administrative procedures to settle the inheritance and put the palace up for sale. It was during this time that Bengana made her an offer, and the two eventually reached an agreement.

After Algeria’s independence, the palace became state property and was classified as a national heritage site to be preserved in 1981 to serve as a guest house and venue for official receptions.

The palace was built on a wooded site overlooking the marine slope of Skikda’s local corniche. Designed by architect Charles Montaland, it was constructed in a neo-Moorish architectural style, blending various architectural aspects. The vestibule is adorned with mosaics, faience, and sculptures. Architectural touches from the Almoravids are found on the exterior facade, with a resemblance to the Giralda of Seville in the shape of the minaret, and echoes of the Alhambra of Granada. Arabic calligraphy decorates the interior walls, further perfecting the work, which was also intended as a great tribute to Andalusian civilization. The decorative tiles were made in the ceramic kilns of the Chemla family, a large family business based in Nabeul, Tunisia.

Dar Meriem, also known as Dar Bengana, is a residence from the time of colonial Algeria. It is located in Skikda, 471 km east of Algiers, in the Skikda wilaya, formerly called Philippeville during the French period. The palace is named after Marie Cuttoli, a patron of modern tapestry, wife of Paul Cuttoli, a French politician of Algerian origin and a radical socialist senator. The palace was classified as a national heritage site to be preserved in 1981.

The palace was built in 1913, initially named Château Cuttoli, in reference to its first owner Paul Cuttoli, and it carries two other names. The first, Meriem Azza, is officially recognized, and the second, Château Bengana, is still maintained by collective memory. Paul Cuttoli built it in honor of his wife, whose name was Marie, and not in honor of the Virgin Mary as local stories suggest. On the wall of Cuttoli’s office, one can read in Arabic calligraphy:

« هذا القصر بناه كوتيلي عزة لمريم »

which translates to French as “Paul Cuttoli is the builder of this palace in honor of Myriam.”

The second owner of the palace was Boulakhras Bengana, the son of Si Bouaziz ben M’hamed ben Gana, one of the great figures of the Algerian Muslim world during the French colonization, who used to spend his vacations in this castle. The purchase of this palace by Bengana occurred after the death of Paul Cuttoli in 1949. His wife Marie returned to Skikda to receive condolences from the Governor of Algeria, Marcel-Edmond Naegelen, and the entire French political class at Dar Meriem. Marie stayed in Skikda for a few more weeks to handle the administrative procedures to settle the inheritance and put the palace up for sale. It was during this time that Bengana made her an offer, and the two eventually reached an agreement.

After Algeria’s independence, the palace became state property and was classified as a national heritage site to be preserved in 1981 to serve as a guest house and venue for official receptions.

The palace was built on a wooded site overlooking the marine slope of Skikda’s local corniche. Designed by architect Charles Montaland, it was constructed in a neo-Moorish architectural style, blending various architectural aspects. The vestibule is adorned with mosaics, faience, and sculptures. Architectural touches from the Almoravids are found on the exterior facade, with a resemblance to the Giralda of Seville in the shape of the minaret, and echoes of the Alhambra of Granada. Arabic calligraphy decorates the interior walls, further perfecting the work, which was also intended as a great tribute to Andalusian civilization. The decorative tiles were made in the ceramic kilns of the Chemla family, a large family business based in Nabeul, Tunisia.