Martyrs' Memorial

micahspangler (Atlas Obscura User)

Opened in 1982 to honor the 20th anniversary of Algeria’s brutal and bloody war for independence, this impressive concrete monument is a testament to the country’s long struggle to throw off its French colonizers.

The memorial rises 302 feet tall and is comprised of three soaring “palm leaves,” each punctuated at the base by a statue of a single Algerian soldier. In the center of the monument sits an eternal flame. The memorial was erected on the site on an old military fort on a hill in Algiers, allowing it to be seen up and down the capital city’s long and winding coastline.

The memorial is free to visit (although soldiers will most likely prevent you from getting close to the eternal flame) and the surrounding plaza is a popular gathering spot. Entrance to the nearby military museum (Musem de l’Armee), which is located at the opposite end of the square, is free to enter and has a wide collection of exhibits that provide more context on Algeria’s complicated relationship with France.

Know Before You Go

The memorial can be easily reached via a small public cable car, which runs up the hill and connects the monument to the Botanical Garden Hamma (Jardin d'Essai du Hamma).