This is one site - that is, as far as I know, not mentioned in any travelbook - but for me it is a very astonishing place: The Cathedral de Sacré Coeur in Oran (Algeria). During the French occupation in Algeria the authorities turned the islamic state bit by bit into a Christian copy of France. Therfore they built churches and one of the most impressive ones is this very carthedrale in Algerias second biggest city. Nonetheless, the architectonial style is very much influenced by the Moors and the Ottomans. From the outside it certainly looks a bit like a mosque and with a few palms aside the picture is perfect. It is almost 80 metres long, but it doesn't have a long history of services. The cathedral was opened in 1903 and ran only until 1962, when Algeria reached total independence from France. Adjacently the number of Catholics declined:
In the whole Region of Oran had been 355.000 catholicts in 1950. In The Nineties remained 7000, but now there only 400 left! Yeah it's not a piece of cake being Christian in an area, which is dominated by muslim culture.
But history is an organic structure and from something old something new evolves.
So now the temple of God is the temple of books. It is a public library and this is really amazing. Within the Interiour of the cathedrale with all it´s benches, the pulpit, the altar and the neatly coloured windows are now students, who study. In some way this tranquille way of reading pays the final respect and farewell to the religious aura of the church. Even doves fly and rest within the thick walls and have a great time pooping down from the roof. So there is something in for everyone!

Photographer:

wil6ka

Uploaded:

2009-01-01

Tags:

africa algeria architecture portraits travel

Camera:

Noblex 135 U

Film:

Kodak Elitechrome ED

City:

Oran

Country/region:

Algeria

Albums:

Algeria at large

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