Ahmed Bey Palace
An 1830s palace in Constantine with painted wall murals of a pilgrimage journey.
Updated 18 October 2026
Hadj Ahmed Bey, the last bey of Constantine, built this palace between 1825 and 1835, and it is the largest surviving Ottoman-period residence in Algeria: a sequence of courtyards planted with orange and cypress, arcades on marble columns brought from older buildings, tiled dados, carved wood and painted ceilings. Its distinctive feature is a series of murals painted along the gallery walls showing landscapes and buildings from the bey's journeys, including his pilgrimage to Mecca and views of ports and cities, a rare piece of nineteenth-century North African painting. The palace was used as a barracks and administrative building for a long period and now houses a museum.
History
The palace was commissioned by Ahmed Bey ben Mohamed Chérif, the last bey of Constantine, with a Genoese engineer, Chiavino, and two well-known artists, Al-Jabari and Al-Khatabi, working on the design; ground was broken in 1825 and the building was finished in 1835, two years before the city fell to the French. Ahmed Bey moved in when it was inaugurated in 1835-1836, but two years later the French drove him out and made the palace their headquarters, and after independence the Algerian army set up camp in it. It was one of the main sights when Constantine was Arab Capital of Culture in 2015 (Wikipedia, Ahmed Bey Palace).
What's there
- Painted journey murals - landscapes and cities along the gallery walls.
- Courtyards with orange and cypress - the planted sequence of the plan.
- Marble columns reused from older buildings - the arcades around the courts.
- Carved wood and painted ceilings - the interior decoration.
When to go
October to May. Two hours. Opening hours are set and it closes on some days; check locally. Photography rules vary between rooms.
Things to know
Restoration has been long and parts remain closed. Interpretation is thin and mostly in French and Arabic. The murals have suffered from damp and past overpainting. Guided access is sometimes required.
Nearby
The Sidi Rached viaduct is below; the Casbah lies north.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q12232975, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Ahmed Bey Palace
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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