Botanical garden re-opens in Algiers
2009-05-04
The famous Jardin d'Essai du Hamma opened to the public last weekend after a five-year restoration. Algiers residents will finally have a space to breathe and to enjoy the tropical scenery.
By Said Jameh for Magharebia in Algiers – 04/05/09
 [Said Jameh] Visitors to the re-opened Jardin D’Essai du Hamma’s upper entrance are treated to a beautiful French garden. |
Nature lovers in Algiers made their way into Jardin d'Essai du Hamma on Sunday (May 3rd), re-opened after five years of restoration work. The botanical garden was closed in 2004 for reconstruction, and as of this week, residents can once again enjoy the site's attractions.
Built by the French in 1830 in the heart of the capital, the park is Algeria's oldest botanical garden and one of the country's most celebrated landmarks. It is home to thousands of plant and animal species.
"The park is an outlet for us," said Zineb, a mother of two. "It will give us a new space that we have missed. We did not know where to take our children for fun before."
The garden sits on more than 32 hectares of land. It enjoys a tropical microclimate, which is favourable to the flora and fauna imported from Africa and North America.
The park is divided into three spaces: the French garden, the English garden and a zoo.
In the mid 1980s, the park started to deteriorate because of lack of maintenance and funding. Most of the gardens were damaged. Rumours that the park became a hotbed for vice drove visitors away.
In 2001, the government decided to close it to the public. Then in 2004 the rehabilitation started, with help from French and Spanish experts.
The effort took five long years. On Saturday, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika officially opened it, urging the park's management to take care of this vital landmark.
The new attractions include new restaurants, restrooms and an information centre for visitors. A newly established school will train specialists in horticulture. In addition to an animal hospital to care for the different animal species in the zoo, new labs and science centres will provide support for the park's operations.
The park employs 130 security details to ensure the safety of the visitors. Minors will not be admitted into the park unless accompanied by adults.
Visitors will pay between 10 to 30 dinars to enter the park. Discounts are available for students, children and the elderly.
Mustapha, a 45-year-old resident of Algiers, recalled his memories in the park. He said that he used to visit it as a child. "I will bring my children to enjoy the beautiful scenery," he said.
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casa Posted 2009-05-04
This garden is among the five most beautiful gardens in the world and is the largest and oldest park in Africa. I was there with a Moroccan and Libyan delegation in 2006 for a private visit. It is a paradise on earth. There is a replica of the Garden in Versailles and replicas of the Amazon where the 1949 film Tarzan was shot. There are also exotic animals and a natural history museum. Algiers’ Jardin d’Essai is a masterpiece worthy of being ranked number four in the world.
fella Posted 2009-05-05
Actually, reopening the garden is going to change a lot of things, especially now that we can take our children there and they will more or less find the botany interesting. I thank Mr Ziriat, Jardin d’Essai’s director, for this great work.
عاصمي Posted 2009-05-05
We have waited so long for it to be opened! Thank you.
merre,ciel bleu,verdure= ALGER Posted 2009-05-06
I visited this place this morning. I think that it will soon become the main tourist destination in Algiers, given the large number of foreign tourists I saw there both with and without guides. What was most surprising was the large number of police officers and groundskeepers.
habiba Posted 2009-05-07
Well, yes, it is true: Algiers’ Jardin d’Essai is like New York’s Central Park. It has an 80-hectare forest in the middle of all these buildings it is 50 metres from the azure-blue sea.
said Posted 2009-05-08
I am very pleased to learn that the garden is open. I will go visit it as soon as I return to Algeria. Long live Algeria, my beautiful country!
عبد الحكيم Posted 2009-05-10
By God, this is a nice garden in terms of the position. It is located within residential houses and near the sea. When you lift your head, you will see the highness and history of Algeria in the martyr square. However, my sole concern is visitors. If only they are to the level, protect the beauty of this garden and an opportunity to teach their sons how to respect nature.
لبنة Posted 2009-05-10
I was disappointed with Echourouk daily when it dared insult visitors who came from Ammaria to enjoy the garden.
Marwa Posted 2009-05-21
I am delighted that the botanical garden is finally finished. We have been waiting on this moment for a long time. The landscape is magnificent and quite pleasant - the change has been a surprise. I have visited it several times and each time it is an enormous pleasure. We had quite a surprise in finding out that there is a school for educating children on the environment there, which includes a pretty rich library and botany and zoology labs. There is also a projection room where you can watch documentaries. In sum, it is a paradise on earth!!! Thank you, everyone who contributed to it.
منى من تونس Posted 2009-06-21
This Algerian garden is a paradise and it is one of the places I wish to visit in the work. It has everything I love and wish to see of the nice nature. Congratulations to Algeria for this magic.
sabrina Posted 2009-08-12
My husband took me to see this beautiful garden while on holiday in algeria and I have to say that is one of the most gorgeous place I have seen. Algerians should be really proud to have a place like that! I will definitly visit again.
khadidja A Posted 2009-10-30
Algeria has many places to visit which is wonderful but there one famous place people'favourite called Jardin d'Essai the paridise in the capital city ALGIERS. Is going to be a very big changes for algerian people I prefer Jardin d'Essai now then before
R louafi Posted 2010-05-12
Algiers is such a beautiful and rich landscape and this is a treasure hidden in the heart of the city. As a Londoner married to Algerian I will seriously consider moving there as this may help Algerians appreciate and value their beautiful flora and fauna for future generations (and hopefully have more than than football to get passionate about)! Good luck in the World Cup by the way. I can't wait to visit this garden on my next visit inshallah!
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