The royal palace at the Mechouar citadel in Tlemcen (Algeria): from excavation to reconstruction

Since independence, Algeria has devoted particular attention to its architectural heritage by enacting legislation aimed at its protection and preservation against threats that could lead to its disappearance. Among the most significant is Law No. 98-04 on the Protection of Cultural Heritage (1998), along with subsequent complementary regulatory texts. Within this framework, extensive programs for the restoration of historical landmarks have been launched across various regions of the country. The city of Tlemcen has notably distinguished itself as one of the main urban centers to experience a significant wave of restoration works, especially during 2010 and 2011 in preparation for the “Tlemcen, Capital of Islamic Culture 2011” event. Among the most prominent of these projects is the reconstruction of the Royal Palace at the Mechouar Citadel, which represented a unique intervention on an archaeological and architectural site of this scale. This study aims to trace the trajectory of the palace from the archaeological excavations that uncovered its remains to its eventual reconstruction, while providing a critical analysis of this experience in terms of methodology and outcomes. The goal is to contribute to the scholarly discussion on the challenges and implications of reconstruction as a strategy for the preservation of architectural heritage in Algeria.