The Ottoman Empire was divided into three main administrative zones (at least in the 17/18th Centuries. Of course bureaucracies being what they are, they kept adding.) The head of state of Algiers was the Dey, and his territory was governed by three beys who he appointed. While Algiers was part of the Ottoman Empire and owed allegiance to the Sultan, they in fact had wide latitude to govern as they wished, as long as they didn't upset the Sultan. (In Albania Ali Pasha Tepelena was a similar level leader -- the Porte didn't really care too much what he did as long as he was loyal to the Sultan. Ali Pasha fought several little wars with other pashas and took over their land; the Ottomans didn't seem to mind too much until Ali Pasha started to ally himself with the French, at which point they lopped off his head to register their disapproval.)
Anyway, this is the street entrance to the Dey's palace.
The front entry hall. The benches on either side of the long hall were for people to sit while waiting to address the Dey about their business. The large kettle at the end of the hallway is where the dey would sit.
Above are Delft tiles in the hallway. The reddish tiles at the bottom are all different sailing ships.
One of the ceiling lanterns.
The interior courtyard, directly adjacent to the entry hall. This open-air courtyard afforded light to all the rooms of the house as well as ventilation.
A hallway from the courtyard to another section of the palace.
A capital on one of the columns in the courtyard.
I really like the Ottoman/Moorish doors. This one is quite ornate.
The reverse side of one of the doors.
These rooms are apartments above the courtyard and to the side, used to allow guests of the Dey a place to stay.
Every courtyard needs some fish.
The entry way on my way out. I was the last to leave, and there is the ubiquitous soldier making sure he was the last to leave.
Anyway, this is the street entrance to the Dey's palace.
Above are Delft tiles in the hallway. The reddish tiles at the bottom are all different sailing ships.
One of the ceiling lanterns.
The interior courtyard, directly adjacent to the entry hall. This open-air courtyard afforded light to all the rooms of the house as well as ventilation.
A hallway from the courtyard to another section of the palace.
I really like the Ottoman/Moorish doors. This one is quite ornate.
Every courtyard needs some fish.
The entry way on my way out. I was the last to leave, and there is the ubiquitous soldier making sure he was the last to leave.
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