Palais des Rais

The history of the Palais des Rais dates back to 1576, when Dey Ramdan Pasha constructed Borj El-Rais (Tower of the Rais) to strengthen the defenses of the lower city. Over time, the site earned several names, including Qaa El-Sour, Sabaa El-Tabran, and Toubanet Arnaout, reflecting its defensive purpose and the artillery brought by Rais Yahia.

During the French colonial era, the structure was renamed Fort 23 following the construction of the city's defensive walls. The numbering of the palace (e.g., Palace 16, Palace 17) and the adjacent "Fishermen's Houses" was introduced during the surveying efforts of the same period.

The sole historical reference available pertains to Palace 18, which was built by Rais Mami Arnaout around 1750.[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k75868614/f2.item.r=Arnaout+Mami.zoom L'Echo d'Alger : Journal républicain du matin] | 1940-11-07 | Gallica [https://web.archive.org/web/20170325032908/http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k75868614/f2.item.r=Arnaout+Mami.zoom Archived] March 25, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200812202547/http://elraaed.com/ara/news/18737-%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9.html "The Palace of Rias El Bahr, Algeria's jewel and symbol of resistance] - El Raed Daily". elraaed.com. Archived from the [http://elraaed.com/ara/news/18737-%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9.html original] on 2016-12-27. Accessed on 2020-05-17.

After 1830, the year of Algiers' occupation, Palace 18 underwent several changes in function. It initially served as the residence of the Commander of Civil Engineering. Subsequently, it became a boarding school for girls, followed by its use as the United States Consulate Office. Later, it was repurposed as the residence of the "Duke of Aumale" and finally transformed into the municipal library.

After Algeria's independence in 1962, Algerian families occupied the historic site, leading to certain alterations. While this occupation caused some damage to the structure, it also contributed to preserving specific wooden artifacts in relatively good condition. However, the building suffered from exposure to climatic factors and its proximity to the sea, resulting in harmful effects that eventually posed a risk of collapse.

In 1980, the Ministry of Culture initiated a phased intervention to safeguard the historic landmark. The first step involved relocating residents to alternative housing, followed by conducting studies and restoration efforts. These measures aimed to transform the site into what would later become the Center for Arts and Culture at the Palais des Rais (Fort 23). The primary goal of the restoration project was to rehabilitate and adapt the structure for optimal use. Restoration work continued from 1987 to 1993, and the palace was officially opened to the public in 1994.

• 1750–1798: Dey Mustafa constructs Palace No. 18.
• 1830: The French occupation of Algiers begins.
• 1840: Start of urban transformations in the Casbah of Algiers.
• 1906: Fort 23 is classified as a national heritage site (reaffirmed by Decree 67-281 on December 20, 1967).
• 1932: Launch of a development program for the Casbah; gradual disappearance of maritime neighborhoods, replaced by the European city.
• 1962: Fort 23, the only remaining evidence of the Casbah’s extension toward the sea, becomes a residence for Algerian families.
• Early 1980s: Families relocated, and the Ministry of Culture takes charge of the site.
• 1980–1985: Technical oversight by COMEDOR; visits by UNESCO experts and consultants.
• 1985–1986: Structural studies conducted by a Turkish engineering firm.
• Late 1987: Restoration work begins, led by an Italian company.
• 1991: The site is reclassified as a national heritage monument.
• 1992: The site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site (as part of the Casbah classification).
• November 1, 1994: Official opening of the Center for Arts and Culture at the Palais des Rais.

Palais des Rais is located in the northeastern part of the Casbah municipality, at the intersection of "November 1, 1954 Street" and "Mohamed Rachid Amara Street.""[https://web.archive.org/web/20230506071015/https://www.bing.com/maps?v=2&cp=36.7348678~3.1434649&lvl=16&sty=h%2F Bing]". bing.com. Archived from the [https://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=36.73486%7E3.143463&lvl=16.0&sty=h%2F original] on 2023-05-06. Accessed April 27, 2016.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230506070945/http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=37.774900&lon=-122.419400&z=12&m=w "Wikimapia - Let's describe the whole world!"]. wikimapia.org. Archived from the [http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.734868&lon=3.143465&z=16&m=b original] on May 6, 2023. Accessed April 27, 2016.http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/MapServer "400 Bad Request". Archived from the original http://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/MapServer on 2019-12-22.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230501113950/https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=4/38.01/-95.84 "OpenStreetMap".] OpenStreetMap. Archived from the [https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=16/36.73490/3.14350 original] on 2023-05-01. Accessed April 27, 2016.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230331200220/https://zoom.earth/ "Flash Earth".] flashearth.com. Archived from the [http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=36.7348678&lon=3.1434649&z=16.8&r=0&src=ha original] on March 31, 2023. Accessed April 27, 2016.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230506070925/https://www.google.dz/maps/@36.7833816,3.0580312,302m/data=%213m1%211e3/data=%213m1%211e3 "Google Maps".] google.dz. Archived from the [https://www.google.dz/maps/@36.7833816,3.0580312,533m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExOS4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D original] on 2023-05-06. Accessed on 2016-05-23.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230402001734/https://search.yahoo.com/ "maps - Yahoo Search Results"]. yahoo.com. Archived from the [https://search.yahoo.com/ original] on 2023-04-02. Accessed April 27, 2016.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230425111905/http://kosmosnimki.ru/?x=3.6201279&y=36.7228968&z=14&fullscreen=false&mode=satellite "ScanEx Web Geomixer - просмотр карты"]. kosmosnimki.ru. Archived from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20230425111905/http://kosmosnimki.ru/?x=3.6201279&y=36.7228968&z=14&fullscreen=false&mode=satellite original] on 2023-04-25. Accessed April 27, 2016.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230331195751/https://maps.here.com/traffic/explore?map=36.73487,3.14346,16,satellite_traffic&x=ep "HERE Maps - City and Country Maps - Driving Directions - Satellite Views - Routes".] here.com. Archived from the [https://maps.here.com/traffic/explore?map=36.73487,3.14346,16,satellite_traffic&x=ep original] on March 31, 2023. Accessed April 27, 2016.{{Adjacent communities|NORTHEAST=Mediterranean Sea, National Road No. 11 (Algiers)|North=Mediterranean Sea, National Road No. 11 (Algiers)|NORTHWEST=Umma Mosque, Omar Hamadi Stadium, Algeria's coastal mountains, Bouzareah Mountain|EAST=Rusconia, Higher National Conservatory of Music, Bordj Tamentfoust, Tamentfoust port|WEST=Zaouïa of Sidi Saâdi, Bab El Oued Square, Amir Abdelkader High School, Prague Park, Safir Mosque|Center=Palace of the Rias|SOUTHEAST=Abdelhamid Ben Badis Mosque (Algiers), Sablat Beach, Oued El Harrach, Djamaa el Djazaïr|South=Martyrs' Square (Algiers), Port Said Square, Algiers railway station, Djamaa el Kebir, Djamaa el Djedid,|SOUTHWEST=Djamaâ Sidi Ramdane, Ali Bitchin Mosque, Fadil Wartilani Mosque (Algiers), Al Noor Mosque,}}

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (El khiama).JPG|Palais des Rais (Al Khayyama)

File:Palais des Rais - Alger.JPG|Outside the Palais des Rais

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (Eskiffa).JPG|Palais des Rais (The Shed)

File:Palais des Rais (pilier) - Alger.JPG|Palais des Rais (Wedge)

File:Palais des Rais (Es'hine) - Alger.JPG|Palais des Rais (Al-Sahin)

File:Palais des raïs9.jpg|Palais des Rais

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais, Bastion 23 (Parterre en mosaique).JPG|Palais des Rais (decorative floor)

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais, Bastion 23 (Fenêtre d'une chambre).JPG|Palais des Rais (room window)

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais - Bastion 23.JPG|Inside the Palais des Rais

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais, Bastion 23.JPG|Inside the Palais des Rais

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (El khiama - cuisine).JPG|Palais des Rais (tent, kitchen)

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (Beyt el ma).JPG|Palais des Rais (Water House)

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (vue sur mer).JPG|A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (vue sur mer).

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (chambre).JPG

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (Arcade).JPG

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais Bastion 23.JPG|Inside the Palais des Rais

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (Hammam).JPG|Palais des Rais (Hammam)

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (L'entrée du Hammam).JPG|Palais des Rais (Hammam entrance)

File:Palais des Rais - Bastion 23.JPG

File:Palais des Rais, Bastion 23 (Les douérates - maisons des pêcheurs).JPG

File:Palais des Rais (Bastion 23).JPG

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais (Chambre).JPG

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais, Bastion 23 (Arcade).JPG

File:A l'interieur du palais des Rais ou Bastion 23 (Chambre).jpg

File:La cite le port et le mole d Alger.jpg|The Palace of the Riyas in 1690

File:Siege of Algiers 1541.jpg|The Palace of the Riyas in 1541

File:1888 Plan of Algiers, Algeria Casbah region.jpg|Palais des Rais Location

File:Plafond1.jpg|Decorative wooden ceiling in the dining hall of Palace 18

File:Etage.jpg|Palace Scheme 18

File:Le phare de l'amirauté (photos prise du palais des rais).JPG

File:Bab El Oued Algiers 2008.jpg|Prague Park

File:Plan Casbah.png|Palais des Rais Location

File:Location map Algiers Kasbah.png|Palais des Rais Location

File:DZ-1607.svg|Casbah municipality

File:Alger Lycée Bugeaud.jpg|Amir Abdelkader High School

File:Piri Reis - Map of the Algerian Coast around Algiers - Walters W658270B - Full Page.jpg|Palais des Rais Location in 1770 AD

File:La baie d'Alger vue du ciel (2004).jpg|Gulf of Algeria

File:معهد الموسيقى بالقصبة.jpg|Higher National Conservatory of Music

File:Casbah Zoudj Ayoun 3.jpg|Ali Bitchin Mosque

File:The view from Sidi Abder Rahman Mosque on the bay of Algiers.jpg|Sidi Abd al-Rahman al-Tha'alibi Mosque

• Bardo National Museum (Algiers)
• Casbah of Algiers
• Zaouïa of Sidi Saâdi

{{Portal bar|Algeria|Architecture|Museums}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Rais Palace}}

• [http://www.palaisdesrais-bastion23.dz/ Official website]

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Category:Casbah of Algiers

Category:Palaces in Algeria

Category:Museums in Algiers

Category:Ottoman architecture in Algeria