THE THERMAL ESTABLISHMENT IN ALGERIA DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD: FROM EXPLOITATION TO NEW ARRANGEMENTS

Yıl 2018, Cilt: 3 Sayı: 2, 4 - 13, 01.04.2018

Nadıa Nedjar Samıa Cherguı

Öz

Algeria has an abundance of water heritage, which for centuries marks most of its towns and villages. It certainly illustrates the historical, social and cultural dimension, but especially lavishes to the care and leisure populations. During the nineteenth century, new regulations were introduced in Europe to improve hygiene services. They had enabled the development of real water towns. It was also during this period that the French administration had given special attention to the thermal springs of the newly colonized Algerian territories. Given the state of its water heritage, it was difficult to subject it to any kind of exploitation. This paper focuses on how to identify the state of the water heritage in the aftermath of colonization and to establish the conditions of the new improvements for exploitation that could be made. Some of the scenarios as well can be envisaged at the outset, for instance, a simple reorganizationrearrangement of the infrastructures belonging to the thermal spa baths or existing baths can be undertaken; or the construction of new thermal structures in the vicinity of existing natural sources or old baths, which as well has been already undertaken. The Hammam Bou-Hanifia, located not far from Mascara, in the Western part of the country, is one of the best examples of the above mentioned scenarios for development. The colonial work was envisaged because of the health endangering conditions of the existing spa. Similar is the case of Hammam N'bails Nador, located in Constantinois. This establishment of Roman origin was perfectly preserved, but ill-ventilated and illuminated. Therefore, it was necessary to make certain crucial adjustments to improve it in order for it to function properly. Other establishments have also undergone various transformations. We will be called upon to identify and observe more particularly the new developments initiated within the framework for promotion and improvement of colony hydrotherapy. The research work presented in this paper is based on unpublished archival sources, which we have exploited and analyzed systematically. They are corroborated by in-situ investigations and tests, which make it possible to ascertain the degree of conservation of these thermal establishments, as well as to make comparisons between their ancient and current states

Anahtar Kelimeler

Thermal establishment, Algeria, French colonization, History, Heritage

Kaynakça

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