Dar Mustapha Pacha, Ottoman palace in Casbah, Algiers, Algeria
Dar Mustapha Pacha is an Ottoman-era palace in Algiers' Casbah that features a central courtyard with groined vaults and marble columns decorated in patterned tiles. The building uses wooden beam ceilings that support two-story galleries throughout its interior spaces.
The palace was built in 1799 during Ottoman rule as the residence of Mustapha Pacha, who later became the Dey of Algiers. It is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, helping preserve this period of the city's past.
The palace now displays traditional Algerian miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and calligraphy that visitors can view in its rooms. These handcrafted art forms represent local artistic traditions passed down through generations.
The palace is located along Ahmad and Muhammad Mecheri Street in the Casbah, with the entrance marked by a projecting terrace. Visitors can move freely through the different galleries and the central courtyard once inside the building.
The palace demonstrates traditional Moorish construction methods where wooden beams are cleverly positioned to support heavy structures while creating open living spaces. This handcrafted building technique differs from European approaches and reveals how regional architectural principles were applied.
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