Preserving Resistance

Abstract

This thesis investigates how the restoration of heritage sites can contribute to reclaiming national and cultural identity in post-colonial contexts, focusing on the Raïs Palace/Bastion 23 in the Casbah of Algiers. Employing the crossed histories methodology, the research examines multiple overlapping historical narratives that shaped the palace‘s original 16th-century Ottoman structure through significant transformations under French colonial rule to its extensive post-independence restoration efforts. Central to this analysis is the detailed examination of the 1981 UNESCO report, which outlined technical and ideological challenges in restoring a monument heavily altered by colonial interventions.

The findings highlight that Algeria‘s restoration initiative, guided by UNESCO‘s recommendations and executed through international partnerships, was an active attempt to reconstruct a pre-colonial identity. However, the study identifies tensions between international conservation standards and local conceptions of heritage, which demonstrates how global methodologies sometimes overshadow local cultural narratives and decision-making processes. Ultimately, the Raïs Palace symbolizes both the possibilities and limitations of post-colonial heritage restoration: while effectively reclaiming historical narratives, it also exposes persistent issues related to cultural sovereignty and the social integration of heritage sites into contemporary urban life. This thesis aims to contribute valuable insights into broader academic discussions on heritage preservation and urban cultural heritage management by critically engaging with the interactions documented in multiple UNESCO reports and various local experts.