About
It was established in 1552 AD, by Hassan Pasha bin Khair al-Din Barbaros, the ruler of Algeria during the Ottoman era, who built it on the highest plateau in the region, as a center for observing the enemy.
This landmark was characterized at that time by a distinctive architectural design, made of huge yellow stones. It has fortified walls and huge open windows.
It was later called the Al-Maqrani Tower, after the leader of the popular revolution, “Mohammed Al-Maqrani” in 1871 AD, who was one of the leaders of the Algerian popular revolutions against the French occupation in the nineteenth century AD. This leader was known for his ferocity in the face of French colonialism.
This tower was seized during French colonialism, and several modifications were made to it that changed its architectural features. After restoring national sovereignty, the National Army assigned it to the People’s Council of the Municipality of Bordj Bou Arreridj in 1993 AD, and it was restored in 2008 AD, and was placed at the disposal of the National Antiquities Agency to make it a museum to remind generations. With the heroic resistance of Al-Maqrani, in the year 2016 AD it was reopened as a museum and a library at the same time, after its restoration and rehabilitation. This historical landmark began to attract tourists and visitors from everywhere, due to its historical status and its symbolic contents, as it stands with its majesty as a witness to the ancient history of the city.