MUSEUM
Designed in 1908 on plans by the architect Régnier, the museum of Cherchell bears witness to the wealth and importance of the city in Roman times. It has just been superbly restored and the statues have even been fitted with anti-seismic bases. Its visit is a beautiful discovery, do not miss to take the time to come, even if only for an hour!
Its four galleries present a priceless collection of ancient sculptures and magnificent mosaics very well preserved uncovered on the site of Cherchell, in the port, on the beach or in the villas of nobles. One discovers there mainly replicas of Hellenic works ordered at the time of Juba II like the statues of Bacchus - god of wine -, Diana the huntress, Aesculapius - god of medicine -, Apollo, Athena, Venus coming from the western baths. Busts, heads and statues of Juba II and members of the royal family (Cleopatra, Ptolemy) at different ages are also exposed.
Some mosaics are intact, such as the splendid "Mosaic of the Three Graces" (4th century) and the mosaic of the 1st or 2nd century representing the work of the fields. In the courtyard of the museum are exposed some fountains decorated with mosaics, one of which comes from the Roman square (now Martyrs' Square). The museum provides valuable information on Greco-Roman history with many unique pieces. It is really a visit to make, very interesting to better understand the history and art of the city.
L'avantage c'est qu'il n'y a pas grand monde en règle général (les algériens ne sont globalement pas trop attirés par les musées). Il y a possibilité d'avoir un guide pour presque rien et ainsi de bénéficier de l'intégralité de la visite commenté en français!
Le musée contient essentiellement des ruines romaines, et cela vaut le détour!