Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers
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The National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers, one of the largest art museums in Africa, houses over 8,000 works including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and a numismatic collection. Located in the Hamma district next to the Hamma test garden, it features Dutch and French masters alongside emblematic Algerian artists such as Baya, Yellès, and Racim.
Don't miss
- The collection includes the oldest work in the collection: Barnaba da Modena's 'Baptism of Christ' from 1367.
- The sculpture holdings include sculptures by Rodin, including eight bronzes and six plasters, and Antoine Bourdelle's 'Héraklès archer'.
- The painting holdings include paintings by Monet, Matisse, Delacroix, Renoir, Gauguin, and Pissarro alongside Algerian artists like Baya and Mohamed Racim.
- Observe the museum's architecture, designed by Paul Guion, with 35 painting rooms, a sculpture gallery, and a print room.
- The Italian holdings include the 'Pied Piper' by Caravaggio among the Italian art collection.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers
You can visit National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAlgiers Casbah Tour4.9★ · 97 travelers2-5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →
Best full day"Best of Algiers city" by Fancyellow4.9★ · 110 travelers~7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$93 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleDiscover Algiers and Tipaza on a 2 day private tour.5★ · 17 travelers~48 hoursFrom$292 per personSee dates →Know before you go
- The museum is in the Hamma district beside the Hamma test garden.
- Its holdings span paintings, drawings, engravings, sculpture, decorative arts, ceramics, glassware, and coins.
- Paul Guion designed the building with 35 painting rooms, a sculpture gallery, and a print room.
A bit of history
Opened to the public on 5 May 1930, the museum was built on a hill in Hamma, opposite the Jardin d'essai. In 1961, OAS commandos bombed a statue in the courtyard, damaging the first floor. On 14 May 1962, over 300 works were secretly moved to the Louvre in Paris, sparking negotiations that led to their repatriation by 1970 under the Evian accords.
Common questions
What types of art are in the museum?
The museum includes paintings, drawings, engravings, sculptures, old furniture, decorative art, ceramics, glassware, and a numismatic collection.
Are there works by Algerian artists?
Yes, emblematic Algerian artists such as Baya, Yellès, and Racim are featured, along with many others like Mohammed Khadda and M'hamed Issiakhem.
What is the oldest work in the museum?
The oldest work is Barnaba da Modena's 'Baptism of Christ', dating from 1367.
Was the museum affected by Algerian independence?
Yes, in 1962 over 300 works were moved to the Louvre in Paris after an OAS bombing, but they were repatriated by 1970 after negotiations.
How many works does the museum hold?
The museum holds over 8,000 works, including 800 sculptures.
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