In the waterfront district of Algiers, at a site known as Qa’a Es-Sour, an artillery battery (Tabana) was constructed in 1576 by Mami Arnaout, one of the renowned captains (Raïs) of the Algerian navy at the time, under the orders of Ramadan Pasha. Its purpose was to strengthen the city’s defensive system and protect its northwestern side from any naval invasion or attack. The battery consisted of four cannons aligned along the rampart and directed toward the sea, making it a key element in reinforcing the city’s fortifications.
Today, the district of Qa’a Es-Sour, which is home to the Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23), stands as the only surviving witness to the urban expansion of the Casbah of Algiers toward the sea. It reflects an important aspect of the city’s maritime and military history during the Ottoman period.
The district comprises three palaces—Palace 17, Palace 18, and Palace 23—as well as open spaces, covered passageways (sabat), the cannon battery, sailors’ houses, the Qa’a Es-Sour Mosque, and the patrol route.
The site was designated a historic monument in 1909 and is included within the protected sector of the Casbah of Algiers, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1750
Date of Construction of Palace 18
The construction of Palace 18 dates back to 1750. In 1797, it was acquired by Khaznadji Kara Mustapha, before being purchased the following year, in 1798, by Dey Mustapha Pasha, who made it his official residence. Beginning in 1800, Palaces 23 and 17 were built nearby, forming a remarkable architectural ensemble.
1962>
The Palace of the Raïs after Independence
After Algeria's independence, the Palais des Raïs served as a residence for several Algerian families until 1981, when its occupants were relocated to allow the Ministry of Culture to undertake its restoration.
1987
Restoration Works of the Palais des Raïs
After serving as a residence for several Algerian families, the Palais des Raïs experienced significant deterioration in its state of conservation. In the early 1980s, the Ministry of Culture relocated the occupants to allow for the restoration of the monument. Following extensive studies and on-site assessments carried out by Algerian and Turkish specialists and experts, the restoration project was launched in 1987. The work was entrusted to the Italian company SCI-MBM, in coordination with Algerian experts and under the supervision of UNESCO. The restoration work officially began in 1988.
2022
The Cannon
This is a medium-calibre cannon, known as the “Djaâb”, which was used aboard ships to destroy fortifications and defensive walls. It bears inventory number 95 and was restored in 2022 by specialists in heritage conservation and restoration. The cannon consists of an iron barrel measuring 1.90 metres in length. It weighs approximately 480 kg and has a calibre of 90 mm. The barrel is made up of four sections, while the muzzle has a diameter of approximately 9 cm.
