Ahmed Zabana National Museum, National museum in Oran, Algeria
The Ahmed Zabana National Museum is a four-story building in Oran, recognized by its wide front staircase and four tall columns that frame the entrance across two floors. The collections are spread across the different levels, covering art, history, and natural sciences.
The museum was founded in 1879 by the Geographical and Archaeological Society of Oran and opened to the public on November 11, 1935. After Algerian independence, it was renamed after Ahmed Zabana, the first Algerian resistance fighter to be executed during the war of independence.
The ground floor holds a memorial space dedicated to people from Oran who died during the colonial period. Many local visitors spend time here, and the space gives a sense of how much that era still shapes the way the city remembers its past.
Each floor is dedicated to a different theme, so visitors can follow whichever subject interests them most. It is worth setting aside enough time to see all the sections without rushing.
The natural history section contains preserved specimens including a shark and giant lobsters caught in the waters of Oran Bay. These pieces come from local waters and are rarely found on display in a city museum.
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