The Cirta National Museum

    The Cirta National Museum is located in Constantine province (East of Algeria).It covers an area of 2,100 square meters including 1,200 square meters of building and 900 square meter for the garden. It contains a range of the richest collections of antiques (almost 7000 antique pieces), paintings and ethnographic pieces that make it a major destination for tourists visiting the city either locals or foreigners .It presents the prehistory of the city and all Algeria; a collection of 19th  century paintings and ancient remains of Numidian, Roman, Ottoman and even Colonial, as well as the remains of Tiddis and Kalaa Beni Hammad, discovered in Constantine and the surrounding area.

    It was on April 15, 1931 that the Cirta Museum opened its doors, for the first time, to the public under the name of "Gustave Mercier Museum "(General Secretary of the Archeological Society). The museum kept this name until July 5, 1975, then it was given the name Cirta; the ancient name of the city of Constantine. In 1986, it was elevated to the rank of National Museums and renamed the Cirta National Museum and now it becomes a public museum.

    The museum is structured in three different sections:

The Archaeological Section consists of several galleries whose collections are the product of donations, discoveries and excavations carried out in different sites of the city. It includes thousands of antique objects, some of which are exhibited in twelve rooms in chronological order to help the visitor to have an overview on the history of the city and its regions from prehistoric times to the present day.

 The Fine Arts Section exhibits nearly 120 watercolor paintings and sculptures that date back to the seventeenth and twentieth century, including two black pencil paintings dating back to the 16th century depicting a woman and a child who would probably be the wife and son of an emperor. It also includes various subjects belonging to several schools: European and Algerian. Among the painters, we mention Gustave , Marius Debat, Gabriel Ferrier, Fromentin, Issiakhem, Allalouche Amar... 

Ethnographic Section was opened in 1998 and it contains a set of traditional gold and silver jewelry, traditional dresses (Constantinian outfits), carpets, copper utensils, and weapons, in addition to a large quantity of inscriptions and manuscripts dealing with various scientific fields.

     In attempt to promote this precious heritage, the administration of the Museum diversifies the exhibitions, which each time invite the public to discover part of this rich Algerian history. Furthermore, the museum has opened drawing, mosaic and pottery workshops for children to develop their artistic sense and intimate relationships with the arts through an  initiative called "every child an artist" during which known artists are invited to accompany these children in the development of their works. Eventually, thanks to the various initiatives, exhibitions and activities planned during the current year, the museum has received more than 6000 visitors. Its stunning antique pieces render it a marvel that deserves a long visit. Here the schedule of the Visit:

From Saturday to Thursday from 8:00h to 12:00h am and from 13:00h to 17:00h pm 

Friday from 13:30h to 17:00h pm .Entry: 200DA

Written by ARAB Sabrina