Constructive Characteristics of the Citadel of Algiers (Algeria)

Abstract

The citadel of Algiers was built in 1516. Since the Ottoman Regency, the medieval citadel was destroyed and the reconstruction of the new Qasabah was located on the most highlight of the medina. It is the first military edifice built during the Othoman regency. Initially the citadel contained a powder keg, a walkway, Janissaries residence and their mosque. Several buildings were added to this whole defensive through time: the palace of Dey, its mosque and hammam and the palace of the Beys. The stratigraphic analysis shows that the several intervention constructions; demolition and reconstruction took place over several centuries. Since 2003, the Executive Decret n°03-324 of the law 98-04 on protection of cultural heritage in Algeria was implemented. This allowed today a better care of the restoration projects of this whole military building. Today the citadel of Algiers is under a work of more rigorous restoration. Several processes are conducted by different architects specializing Heritage. These include the restoration of the powder keg, Dey palace, the main entrance, etc. This work aims to present the different strata of the constructive citadel, the constructive typology of some buildings located intra muros highlighted during the work of restoring.