The Garden of Trials of El Hamma is a magnificent green lung, located facing the bay of Algiers. Since its creation, it has undergone numerous transformations over time and through different political periods… From the colonial era to the 2000s, passing through the zoo: follow us on an unforgettable walk through the heart of Algerian history and the lush pathways of the Garden of El Hamma!

The Garden of Trials of El Hamma: Its History

Why a Garden of Trials in Algiers?
   

The Garden of Trials of El Hamma is a botanical park spanning 320,000 m² overlooking the bay of Algiers. It was designed in 1832 by French colonists, who had invaded Algérie two years earlier on the orders of King Charles X.

Sanitation work began in 1831 on Algerian lands. The goal? To plant numerous plant species, monitor their acclimatization, and determine which species could be exploited on a large scale for economic purposes…

The Garden's Evolution Through the Country's History

While the initial objective is to generate profits from agriculture, the Garden of Trials evolves over decades, shaped by the countless plant species imported from around the world by European botanists…

The result? The park expands, beautifies, and flourishes! Distinct zones gradually form within the Garden of Trials of El Hamma. You can still admire today an English garden, exotic zones, and a French garden (adorned with the same ornamental flowers as those in the gardens of Versailles).

Beyond agriculture, horticulture, and grain cultivation, the Garden also experiments with sericulture (silk worm farming) and develops more specific productions, such as cotton, sugar cane, and more.

Garden of Trials of El Hamma: Things to See

The Zoo

Recognizable by its Art Deco façade, the zoological park is located at the northern entrance of the Garden of Trials. It is known for having housed the world's oldest Condor (recognized by Guinness World Records in 2010).

Today? The facility houses ducks, flamingos, and large aviaries, where you can admire cockatoos, lovebirds, and parrots among others. But also large wild animals (such as panthers, lions, and Bengal tigers) and endemic species (gazelles, wild sheep, etc.).

Plant Species Imported from Around the World
   

As we've seen, the Garden of Trials of El Hamma is dotted with numerous plant species. Among the 2,500 species in the Garden, you will be able to see:

●     Giant palms (which shelter birds at night),

●     The Tarzan Ficus tree with its aerial roots (the famous lianas),

●     A giant rose bush,

●     A magnificent arcade of dragon trees,

●     Bamboo groves,

●     Mulberry trees,

●     Fruit trees,

●     And more.

The Artworks of the Garden of El Hamma

The beauty of the Garden of Trials of Algiers has inspired many artists, such as Auguste Renoir with his representation of the garden in 1882. During your visit, you will also have the chance to see several stone sculptures, including:

●     The Dancer, by Ouled Naïl,

●     The Bather, by Georges Béguet,

●     The Flute Player, by Emile Gaudissard,

●     And more.

 Key Dates in the Garden's History
   

●     1832-1841: the garden develops rapidly and its area increases, growing from five to eighteen hectares thanks to the acquisition of new parcels.

●     1842-1867: under the direction of botanist Auguste Hardy (appointed Director of the garden in 1842), the Garden of El Hamma experiences strong expansion and significant introduction of trees (the avenue of Ficus, Sycamores, Dragon Trees, bamboos, Chamaerops, etc.).

●     1867: Algérie experiences an earthquake in 1867 and epidemics (cholera, typhus) spread… The park is abandoned.

●     1900: opening of the zoo, under the direction of Dr. Joseph d'Ange.

●     1914-1929: work is undertaken under the supervision of French landscape architects Régnier and Guion. A horticultural school is established within the garden grounds in 1918.

●     1930-1932: rehabilitation of the zoo (introduction of wild animals and farm animals). Two years later, the Garden serves as a film set for Tarzan, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
 The Garden of Trials is chosen as a filming location because it is then considered one of the finest parks in North Africa. A mythical scene is filmed in the twisted lianas of the legendary giant Ficus tree.

●     From 1962 to Today: after independence, the Garden of Trials of El Hamma is taken over by Algerian authorities and classified as a Natural Monument in 1967. The Garden closes between 2001 and 2009 for rehabilitation work and reopens to the public. Since then, the Garden of El Hamma attracts thousands of nature lovers every year!

Frequently Asked Questions
   

Where is the Garden of Trials Located?

The Garden of Trials of El Hamma is located in the Algerian capital, in the Belouizdad district, east of downtown. The French Garden of El Hamma offers beautiful views of Algiers Bay and the Mediterranean Sea.

Why Is It Called the Garden of Trials?

Originally, the term "Garden of Trials" designates a botanical garden designed on territory colonized by settlers, with the goal of growing plant species and monitoring their evolution. The objective of its plantings is threefold: to provide useful information for botanical development, to identify economic opportunities from agriculture, and to provide self-sufficient food supply.