Azza Castle

In 1913, achieving Mériem Azza palace was entrusted to the appointed city architect, Charles Montaland. The initiator of this project was Paul Cuttoli, a brilliant lawyer born in Bab El Oued. He presided over the destiny of Philippeville as a senator and mayor and that, from the 20s to 40s, the period during which it was originally other achievements such as the town hall, the railway station, banking Central, great post and others.

In the late 30s, the sale of the palace was not concluded in an agreement without stipulating that the enjoyment by the new owner, in this case Paul Cuttoli. Some sources agree that the sale of this building took place because the commitment of France in the Second World War has somewhat lessened the budgets allocated to the operation of the administrative districts of the Algerian colony and the purpose of étaitdans bail out the almost empty coffers of his town Cuttoli Paul had given the palace. After the Second World War and the death of Paul Cuttoli, under the terms of the agreement approved during the sale, the new owner took possession. This is a Bengana, a wealthy notable of Ziban region (Biskra).




But his short stay because the day after the outbreak of the war of liberation in 1955 Bengana had to abandon the palace because of the pressure, and about racist threats from civil and European activists living in this residential area. In the aftermath of independence, Dar Meriem was used as a holiday center.

In June 1981, on the application of the CPA Skikda, the National Commission of Monuments and historic sites met at the Ministry of Culture has classified the palace Mériem Azza monument and historic site and national heritage to be preserved. The same year, the services of the wilaya of Skikda are views undertook repair work to transform the palace villa houses.