Basilica in Algiers overlooking the bay of the capital city. Completed in 1872, this splendid building of neo-bysantine architecture is ornately decorated in the inside in the Spanish-Moorish decor. Unique in its genre, it is probably one of the only churches in the world where the invocation to the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Africa reads "Notre Dame d'Afrique, priez pour nous et pour les musulmans - Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for Muslims". It is dear to the Algerian people who see it as 'their' church. PLEASE NOTE - Appropriate dress required to enter the Basilica

The Botanical Garden of Algiers, Algeria History of the Garden In 1831, the French colony began undertaking remediation work on the marshlands in order to cultivate agricultural soil. By 1832, Governor General Antoine Avisard signed a decree that established a test garden in a place called El Hamma, east of Algiers. El Hamma provided a perfect plot for the agricultural plans due to its richness in water and cool climate near the sea. The aim of the garden was to serve as both a model farm and a test garden to install, acclimate and study various imported plant species. The garden’s main function in the beginning was diffusing useful plants for medicinal, economic and commercial purposes before scientific and horticultural activities were adopted. The zoological garden was created in 1900, under the initiative of Dr Joseph Ange who was the correspondent of the Paris Museum. By 1837, the garden’s capacity grew from 5 to 18 hectares with an increase

The upper old part of Algiers has interesting Moorish houses, minarets and old citadel.

The Palais of Raïs is an historic and architectural site. It is also a center of art and culture. Open to the public in November 1994, it consists of three palaces, five small houses, a Sabbath (covered walkway), a central courtyard, a walkway and a battery. By its location in the perimeter of the classified old city, it remains the last witness of the extension of the Casbah of Algiers to the sea.