Martyrs Memorial

Martyrs Memorial مقام الشهيد
For Heroes killed in action during the Algerian war of independence
Unveiled	1982
Location	36°44′45″N 3°4′11″E / 36.74583°N 3.06972°E / 36.74583; 3.06972Coordinates: 36°44′45″N 3°4′11″E / 36.74583°N 3.06972°E / 36.74583; 3.06972 in Algiers,  Algeria
Designed by	Bachir Yelles

The Martyrs Memorial (Arabic: مقام الشهيد‎Arabic pronunciation: [mækæːm elchæːhiːd] Maquam E' chahid ) is an iconic concrete monument commemorating the Algerian war for independence. The monument was opened in 1982 on the 20th anniversary of Algeria's independence. It is fashioned in the shape of three standing palm leaves which shelter the "Eternal Flame" beneath. At the edge of each palm leaf stands a statue of a soldier, each representing a stage of Algeria's struggle. Project has been funded by Polish sculptor Marian Konieczny.

Localisation

The martyr's memorial is located on the heights of Algiers, in the municipality of El Madania, west of the Bois des arcades, east of the city Diar el Mahçoul and north of the plaza shopping center Riadh El Feth. It overlooks the neighborhood of Hamma (common Belouizdad) and the experimental garden in the north. The monument has been erected on the site of an ancient military fort.

Description

Consisting of three stylized fins that join mid-height, concrete monument built by the Canadian company Lavalin, based on a model produced in the Beaux-Arts in Algiers under the leadership of Bashir Yelles, it gets to a height of 92 metres (302 ft). Above the three supporting fins at 14 metres (47 ft) from the ground, is an Islamic style turret with a diameter of 10 metres (33 ft) and a height of 7.6 metres (25 ft), topped by a dome of 6 metres (20 ft). It rests on an esplanade that burns an "eternal flame" and includes a crypt, an amphitheater and the Museum of Mujahid (underground).

Construction

Bachir Yelles with Lavalin team

The project to build a memorial in memory of the dead from the War of Independence is the brainchild of President Houari Boumedienne. Its implementation will, however, be completed under the presidency of his successor Chadli Bendjedid.

The company Lavalin is responsible of the studies and construction of the monument. Several Algerian artists involved, like the painter Bashir Yelles, the calligrapher Abdelhamid Skander and the Polish sculptor Marian Konieczny.

The completion of the work was a real technological challenge because of the constraints inherent to the geometry of the assembly, especially the curvature of the fins, the situation of the site at the edge of a steep cliff and high seismicity of the region. Pierre Lamarre, director of engineering and structural design, Claude Naud, expert planning and construction methods, along with Bashir Yelles, imagined a solution that proved itself decisive and innovative.

Nine months (November 15, 1981 to July 5, 1982) were necessary to build this architectural work. The monument was inaugurated by the then President Chadli Bendjedid in February 1986.

Transport

• The cable of the memorial can reach the monument from the Experimental Garden of el-Hamma;
• The cable of El Madania can reach the city from the Diar el Mahçoul district;
• A taxi rank is located in the Esplanade shopping center Riadh El Feth.

Gallery

See also

• Algiers
• Algerian war