Constantine: Restoration of Bey Palace Polychrome to be launched in 45 days

The restoration works of the polychrome decorating the walls of the Ahmed Bey palace in Constantine (431 km East of Algiers) will start “in 45 days” Spanish expert and project manager Maroç Roca told APS Tuesday. Speaking on the margins of a working visit made by the Governor to the construction sites open as part of the event “Constantine, capital of Arab culture 2015,” Roca said that the expertise conducted on this polychrome prior to its restoration, “draws to an end.”These works, described as “cutting edge operation,” will affect a surface of 2,000 to 3,000 m², said the Spanish expert noting that “noble and appropriate” materials will be used for the restoration of this palace cherished by Constantine inhabitants.Recalling that the restoration process of the historical place is part of the cultural event Constantine is preparing to host in a year, Roca said that the Spanish group in charge of the project will “work efficiently to restore as many façades as possible before the kick-off of the event.”The governor of the province, Hocine Ouadah insisted before the Spanish group, in charge of the project to integrate the Constantine University and the Fine Arts School in the various phases of the polychrome’s restoration.”Ouadah added that Algeria and Spain, “which share eight centuries of history,” should also “share the experience of the restoration of one of the historical and artistic monuments of one of the oldest cities in the world.”Launched in 1825 and finished ten years later, the ancient luxurious residence of Ahmed Bey, the last of Constantine’s beys includes a ground floor with gardens and yards, a basement, 27 galleries and 250 marble columns of various Mediterranean origins.