The history of the Casbah of Algiers dates back at least to the 6th century BC. The ethnographic collection at the Musée Public National du Bardo offers a different cultural focus. This gives you two perspectives to consider when planning your trip: the city's historic layout and its material culture. You can decide whether you are more interested in the history of the urban landscape or in objects and regional patterns.
The Casbah: history and urban layout
The Casbah of Algiers has been inhabited since at least the 6th century BC, when a Phoenician trading post was established there. In November 1991, it was designated a national historic site, followed by its designation as a protected area in 2003. The ancient settlement and the later formal designations belong to different periods: the first describes the site's early use, while the second refers to its historic protection status.
The Casbah's architectural heritage includes the remains of a citadel, old mosques and Ottoman-style palaces. Traditional houses, palaces, hammams, mosques and various souks have also been preserved. The traditional urban layout reflects a layering of different styles and is associated with a strong sense of community. This is about more than individual buildings: the interplay between the preserved houses, religious buildings and souks is also part of the urban fabric.
Ethnographic collection at the Musée Public National du Bardo
The ethnographic collection at the Musée Public National du Bardo includes weapons and horse harnesses used during the uprisings of the 19th century. The collection also features embossed metal objects, wooden objects and silver jewellery. Musical instruments used by urban and rural orchestras broaden its scope. The collection thus brings together different materials and objects associated with historical conflicts or musical practices.
Clothing is also represented: the collection includes richly embroidered garments, shoes, and embroidered or metal headdresses. It also contains pottery from various rural regions of Algeria. Flat-woven and high-pile textiles feature patterns typical of their regions. This combination offers a different focus from the Casbah: here, the emphasis is on clothing, materials and patterns, while there it is on historic buildings and the urban fabric. This distinction can help you choose which cultural interests to focus on during your stay.
Other historical points of interest
Nearby, the Villa Abd-El-Tif is an Ottoman residence dating from the 17th century. It is one of the notable historic buildings in the vicinity of the Musée national des beaux-arts. This architectural landmark adds another perspective on the city's history and architecture.
Work in the Casbah
In 2025, progress was reported on completing roadworks in the Casbah of Algiers, as well as on creating a tourist trail and public squares.
Discover more destinations: Algiers, Dar El Beida, Mohammadia, Chéraga, Bordj El Kiffan, Ouled Fayet, Bordj El Bahri, Zeralda, Staoueli, Hydra.
Go to the main travel overview: Algeria.
