Dar Meriem
Dar Meriem is an architectural structure in Skikda situated on a wooded hilltop overlooking the sea, displaying a blend of neo-Moorish and Islamic design elements. The building features thick walls, colorful tiles, detailed mosaics, and Arabic calligraphy covering the walls and floors, while multiple rooms and terraces are arranged to allow air circulation and keep the interior cool in the warm climate.
The house was built in 1913 by French architect Charles Montaland and was originally the home of Paul Cuttoli, a French politician of Algerian origin who constructed it in honor of his wife Marie. Following Cuttoli's death in 1949, it was purchased by Boulakhras Bengana from a respected Muslim family, and after Algeria's independence, it became state property and was classified as a protected historic site in the 1980s.
The house is named after Marie, the wife of its builder Paul Cuttoli, reflecting the personal devotion that shaped its creation and meaning. Local craftspeople and artisans left their mark through the decorative tiles, mosaics, and calligraphy that fill the interior, making it a place where community skill and artistic vision met.
The house is situated on a wooded hill near the city center of Skikda and is easily accessible. The thick walls and natural arrangement of rooms keep the interior comfortably cool even on hot days, and the terraces provide shaded areas for exploring.
The house's tiles were made at a factory near Nabeul in Tunisia, showing how craftsmanship traditions connected across borders. Within the mosaics are six-pointed stars with two-tailed fish embedded within them, a mysterious motif that carries deeper meaning and invites visitors to wonder about its symbolism.
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