El Mechouar Palace

This walled citadel in the centre of Tlemcen served as the royal seat of the Zayyanid dynasty from the thirteenth century onward. Behind its fortified curtain wall lie a restored palace, a mosque and gardens laid out in the Andalusian manner. Successive rulers, Ottomans and the French each left their mark, giving the compound a layered character. Today it functions as a heritage site and cultural venue, its ramparts offering a quiet circuit and views over the surrounding town. The complex anchors Tlemcen's claim as a former imperial capital.