Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions, Art Galleries, Algiers, Algeria

Located in the Rue Hadj Omar in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions displays an extensive collection of local arts and crafts. As the name suggests, the museum incorporates age-old traditional items, as well as more contemporary pieces, showcasing the tremendous talent of Algeria's artists and artisans. Visitors to the museum will have the opportunity of viewing a diverse range of artworks, carpets, wall hangings, jewelry, superbly crafted furniture and beautifully decorated ceramics of all shapes and sizes.

The building housing the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions is an architectural and historic marvel. Built in 1570 as an Ottoman palace, the museum was used as the town hall of Algiers during French rule. The building is typical of houses built during the Ottoman period, with a spacious entrance hall leading into an inner hall with a magnificent staircase leading to the rooms upstairs. A balcony with graceful arches supported by round columns stretches around the upper rooms, allowing visitors to look down on the inner hall. The upper rooms display the museum’s collection, each housing a treasure trove of items giving visitors fascinating insight into the culture and history of Algeria and its people. The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions is one of the must-see attractions of Algiers.

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