MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES AND ISLAMIC ARTS
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Interesting museum in Algiers housing an important collection of classical antiquities: sculptures, mosaics, bronzes, pottery.
Inaugurated by Felix Faure in 1897, the Museum of Antiquities was the first municipal museum in Algiers. Today it is one of the most interesting museums in Algiers and it is well worth a visit to discover more about Islamic arts. It houses an important collection of classical antiquities composed of relics (sculptures, mosaics, bronzes, pottery ...) unearthed during excavations on various archaeological sites in Algeria and a section of Muslim art presenting a collection of objects from different Arab and Berber dynasties who exercised their power in Algeria and the Maghreb. Some pieces also come from the Near East. In the room of pagan cults, a sarcophagus from Azzefoun (Kabylia) dating from the third century AD represents the Greek legend of Belerephon. In the room of coins, cedar wood tablets dating from 493 representing acts of sale testify to the passage of Vandals. The mythological mosaics from Tipasa, Constantine, El Asnam or Bordj Bou Arreridj are particularly well preserved. In the other part of the museum devoted to Islamic arts are exposed coins from all Arab-Berber dynasties, swords, guns, jewelry, carpets, clothing, furniture, earthenware, copper ... Among the major pieces of this section, the minbar of the Great Mosque of Algiers dated 1097 and the carved wooden door from the Ketchaoua mosque.
