A Historic Site of the Battle of Algiers
Ali La Pointe’s house is located in the heart of the Casbah of Algiers. It is one of the most important sites connected to Algeria’s revolutionary history.
On October 8, 1957, Ali La Pointe, Hassiba Ben Bouali, Mahmoud Bouhamidi, and the child Omar Yacef, known as “Petit Omar,” were killed when their secret hideout was destroyed by French colonial forces.
Today, the site is a memorial that recalls the underground resistance, the Battle of Algiers, and the sacrifices of the fighters who transformed the old city’s narrow streets into places of resistance.
Ali La Pointe’s House: A Symbol of Resistance
The house contained a secret hideout belonging to the National Liberation Front. It witnessed one of the most tragic events of the Battle of Algiers.
After Yacef Saadi was arrested in September 1957, French forces discovered the location of the hideout. On October 8, 1957, the area was surrounded and the fighters were ordered to surrender.
When they refused, explosives were placed around the house. The building was destroyed, several nearby houses collapsed, and the fighters as well as some residents of the Casbah were killed.
Information about the Site
- Current name: Ali La Pointe’s House
- Type of site: Traditional house, former secret hideout, and memorial site
- Location: Abderames Street, in the heart of the Casbah of Algiers
- Main event: Destruction of the hideout on October 8, 1957
- People killed: Ali La Pointe, Hassiba Ben Bouali, Mahmoud Bouhamidi, and Petit Omar
- Visit duration: Approximately 30 to 45 minutes
Historical Importance
The destruction of the hideout was one of the major events of the Battle of Algiers. It symbolises the courage of the resistance fighters, the violence of colonial repression, and the heavy losses suffered by the people of the Casbah.
The deaths of Ali La Pointe and his companions marked an important moment in the dismantling of the revolutionary network in Algiers. However, the struggle for independence continued throughout the country until independence in 1962.
A House Transformed into a Memorial
After independence, the site gradually became a place of remembrance. The remains of the house and the hideout were preserved as witnesses to the Battle of Algiers.
Later, the site was developed into a historical exhibition presenting the story of Ali La Pointe and his companions. Today, it is known as the Ali La Pointe Museum, although its main purpose remains commemorative.
Visitors can see photographs, portraits, copies of documents, and a reconstruction of the secret hideout.
What to Observe
Abderames Street
The narrow alleys and closely built houses show how difficult surveillance and searches were in the Casbah.
The House’s Layout
Traditional houses in the Casbah are organised around interior spaces. Their street-facing façades are generally simple, while the rooms are arranged around a central courtyard.
The Reconstructed Hideout
The hideout helps visitors understand the extremely difficult conditions experienced by the four resistance fighters during their final days.
Photographs
The photographs give a human face to the people connected with the site, including Ali La Pointe, Hassiba Ben Bouali, Mahmoud Bouhamidi, and Petit Omar.
The Remains of the Explosion
The ruins and remaining parts of the house recall the violence of the explosion on October 8, 1957. They should be viewed respectfully as historical remains.
Visitor Advice
A visit should not be limited to the museum itself. The surrounding houses, stairs, and narrow passages help visitors understand the environment in which the people of the Casbah lived during the Battle of Algiers.
The site should be visited calmly and respectfully. Ali La Pointe’s House is not merely a tourist attraction; it is a place of remembrance and a tribute to the resistance fighters and civilians who lost their lives during Algeria’s War of Independence.
