The Zayyanid residence of El-Mechouar Palace

The Mechouar Palace, located in the middle of Tlemcen, Algeria, was the former official residence of the Zayyanid dynasty. Built by Yaghmurasen Ibn Zyan, the founder of the dynasty, it was part of the greater Mechouar Citadel, of which the historic defensive walls are the only major element preserved. During the Zayyanid period, the palace consisted of multiple buildings and courtyard residences. One of these courtyard structures was completely rebuilt in 2010–2011 over its former ruins, though the extent to which the current building reflects the original design is unclear.

Before the palace, the site was a kasbah established by the Almoravid leader Yusuf ibn Tashfin. The palace complex contained multiple residences, pavilions, and gardens, including winter residences made of stone and summer residences built with mudbrick. Inside the summer residence, a secret passage could accommodate horses, allowing the ruler to move unseen between the palace and the adjacent mosque. The walls were decorated with zellij tile mosaic and carved stucco, featuring calligraphy that read "The splendor of God.the king that is in God."

During Ottoman rule, several rooms were destroyed by the Ottoman Algerian Beys. In 1836, the French, led by Marshal Clausel, came to the aid of the Kouloughli garrison of Mechouar. After 1843, French occupational forces took over the palace by force, destroying some remaining parts. During the French occupation, the palace was converted into a military hospital, while the nearby Mechouar Mosque was left with only its minaret intact.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons