By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1316 EAT on Monday 27 October 2025

The museum, home to over 146,000 archaeological artifacts, draws national and international visitors eager to explore the region’s rich history and ancient civilizations.

EL-MENIAA, 4 October 2025 (APS) – The National Public Museum of El-Meniaa stands as a vibrant cultural, historical, and touristic landmark, showcasing rare archaeological artifacts and offering a glimpse into the great civilizations that once thrived in the region.

The museum houses a rich array of objects tracing human presence in El-Meniaa from ancient eras, including well-preserved remnants and fossils. These exhibits attract both national and international visitors eager to explore the region’s patrimonial heritage, said Oum El-Kheir Hamel, director of the museum.

Originally established in 1958, the cultural space began as a collection of archaeological objects contributed by local communities.

These items were first exhibited in a primary school, now named Mohamed Boudiaf, before being moved to the youth center “Adriane” in downtown El-Meniaa. Over two decades later, the structure was officially converted into a museum, receiving funding to develop into a municipal institution. It was subsequently upgraded to a regional museum and, in 2011, classified as a national public museum.

Today, the museum preserves 146,000 archaeological pieces, including nearly 1,100 items displayed across four pavilions: geological, paleontological, prehistoric, and ethnographic.

Visitors can explore collections of ceramics, traditional weapons, and coins spanning various historical periods, as well as artifacts documenting the lives of ancient populations in Algeria’s southern region. Exhibits also highlight the ingenuity of inhabitants of the old Ksar of El-Meniaa, located atop a hill at the city’s entrance.

Beyond preserving heritage, the museum serves as a major tourist attraction, especially during the Saharan tourism season, drawing visitors keen to appreciate the region’s cultural and historical diversity.

During the first half of 2025, the museum welcomed 647 visitors, including over 100 international tourists from various countries, cementing its reputation as a cultural and touristic hub.