A budget of €5.27 million has been allocated for the restoration of the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, one of the most important Christian landmarks in Algeria.
Said Meziane, head of the Bab El Oued district in western Algiers where the basilica is located, announced that restoration works will begin “without interruption,” funded by the Algerian government, the European Union, and other donors.
Meziane emphasized that the three-year rehabilitation of the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa “represents a bridge between different communities and creates a place of fellowship for all who love Algeria.”
Henri Teissier, Archbishop of Algiers and president of the Algerian Pastoral Association responsible for the basilica, stated that “the monument is part of the cultural heritage of the capital.”
The basilica is located in the district of Bologhine, rising 124 meters above sea level, giving it a commanding view over large parts of the city.
The site had long suffered from neglect, with its condition further deteriorating due to sea winds and frequent earthquakes in Algiers, particularly the 2003 quake.
The basilica, built in Byzantine architectural style, was completed in 1872 after 14 years of construction. It serves as a pilgrimage site for Catholics and is considered a counterpart to “Notre-Dame de la Garde” in Marseille, located on the opposite shore of the Mediterranean.
The basilica is also renowned for the inscription behind the altar, written in French, Arabic, and Kabyle: “Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for the Muslims.”
