Palais des Rais
| Palais des Rais | |
|---|---|
قصر الرياس | |
Location in Algiers | |
Interactive map of the Palais des Rais area | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Moorish, Algerian |
| Location | Algiers, Algeria |
| Coordinates | 36°47′18″N 3°03′51″E / 36.7884°N 3.0641°E |
| Part of | Casbah of Algiers |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (v) |
| Reference | 565 |
| Inscription | 1992 (16th Session) |
The Palais des Rais (Arabic: قصر الرياس), also known as Bastion 23, is a classified historical monument located in Algiers, Algeria. It is notable for its architecture and for being the last surviving quarter (houma) of the lower Casbah of Algiers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Consisting of three palaces and six houses, whose history began with the construction of Bordj-Ez-zoubia in 1576 by the Dey Ramdhan Pasha in order to reinforce the means of defence of this side of the Medina, this quarter ended up being detached, and even isolated from its traditional environment following the restructuring of the lower Casbah during the French period.
It was not until 1909 that Bastion 23 was classified as a Historical Monument under the name Group of Moorish houses. The site was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.