TOWN SQUARE'
‘Place Ettoute’ is a popular square in Blida, located centrally at the south-west end of the city’s main Boulevard El Aichi ex Trumlet at the time of the French occupation. With Bab Essebt to the north, Kawther Mosque and Bab Errahba to the south, Rue d’Alger and Bab Edzair to the east; and Lycee Ibn Rochd and Jardin Bizot to the west, Place Ettoute lays right in the heart of the town.
PLACE ETTOUTE: The iconic Blida's main square
The iconic square encompasses the distinguished white Moorish designed kiosque - bandstand - which sits majestically in the centre of the square. It is one of the main features of ‘La ville des Roses’. It is now a pedestrianised square, but it was the place where the first Mosque of Blida ‘Djemaa Sidi el Kebir’ was built.
Blida has always been known for its legendary white bandstand of ‘Place Ettoute’ and after the latest renovation that took place in 2017 the square is back to the forefront of being a recreational open space where people can a have a leisurely walk and enjoy the ice cream in an ambient and friendly surrounding. The square that surrounds the bandstand is famous for its cafes and ice-cream parlours like the famous Sicsiko, café Andalusia and Qahwat (Cafe) Challane.
Blida has always been known for its legendary white bandstand of ‘Place Ettoute’ and after the latest renovation that took place in 2017 the square is back to the forefront of being a recreational open space where people can a have a leisurely walk and enjoy the ice cream in an ambient and friendly surrounding. The square that surrounds the bandstand is famous for its cafes and ice-cream parlours like the famous Sicsiko, café Andalusia and Qahwat (Cafe) Challane.
TWENTY YEARS AGO: The memorable features of the square with Cafes, ice cream parlours and the two newsagents kiosques
The ‘Place Ettoute’ of so many decades ago is still the same today. These wonderful buildings and cafes are still
part of the décor of the popular square in the city.
part of the décor of the popular square in the city.
Moreover, it includes the ‘Salle Mohamed Touri’ ex Capitol cinema and ‘le circle’ - the café of the city leading football club ‘el Djamia’ of USMBlida football club. Part of the square décor as well is Mauguin, the famous ‘impremerie’ (print house) which is part of Blida’s heritage. Nearby La Mairie (local council), and the renowned photography shop of Takarli. Previously, there was also two newsagents ‘kiosques’.
The prominent ‘Kawther Mosque’ one of the biggest in Algeria sits in the back drop - south west of the square while in the north of the square there used to be what was known as 'les galleries' – a local supermarket. The ‘Place Ettoute’ of so many decades ago is still the same today. These wonderful places are still part of the décor of the famous square in the city.
The square is very much cherished and admired by the local people, so much so that ‘La bataille des fleurs’ a yearly event celebrating the flowers of Blida and its surrounding areas, used to end its festivities with a touch of music at Place Ettoute
The prominent ‘Kawther Mosque’ one of the biggest in Algeria sits in the back drop - south west of the square while in the north of the square there used to be what was known as 'les galleries' – a local supermarket. The ‘Place Ettoute’ of so many decades ago is still the same today. These wonderful places are still part of the décor of the famous square in the city.
The square is very much cherished and admired by the local people, so much so that ‘La bataille des fleurs’ a yearly event celebrating the flowers of Blida and its surrounding areas, used to end its festivities with a touch of music at Place Ettoute
ENJOYING ICE CREAM AT THE SQUARE
Cafes and ice-cream vendors like the famous Sicsiko, and the cafe Andalusia are part of
the square history and day to day life
the square history and day to day life
Place de toutes les administrations
‘Place Ettoute’ or ‘Place de Toutes’? The widely used and recognised name is ‘Place Ettoute’ and not ‘Place de Toute’. However, some have said that ‘Place Ettoute’ means the place of the ‘mulberry trees’ (‘tout’ in Algerian Arabic and arbre de muriers in French ). The reason for this is that mulberry trees were planted all around the square.
A long time ago, it was ‘Plane trees’ (Arbre de Platane in French) that were planted long before the Mulberry trees. However, in the mid 1980s Blida’s local council decided to remove the ‘plane trees’ and replaced them with the plantation of Mulberry trees instead.
The square of ‘Place Ettoute’ was known for having so many public services and administrative offices during the time of the French occupation. Hence, ‘Place Ettoute’ means 'place de toute les administrations’ (the place of all administrations). It was surrounded by ‘la mairie’ (local council), bank, offices etc. Later the place was renamed by a diminutive word ‘Place Ettoute’ instead of ‘de toutes ‘ and this has become the popular name for the place. However, some still think the name was related to the mulberry tree.
A long time ago, it was ‘Plane trees’ (Arbre de Platane in French) that were planted long before the Mulberry trees. However, in the mid 1980s Blida’s local council decided to remove the ‘plane trees’ and replaced them with the plantation of Mulberry trees instead.
The square of ‘Place Ettoute’ was known for having so many public services and administrative offices during the time of the French occupation. Hence, ‘Place Ettoute’ means 'place de toute les administrations’ (the place of all administrations). It was surrounded by ‘la mairie’ (local council), bank, offices etc. Later the place was renamed by a diminutive word ‘Place Ettoute’ instead of ‘de toutes ‘ and this has become the popular name for the place. However, some still think the name was related to the mulberry tree.
Djemaa Sidi el Kebir
'Place Ettoute' is a constant reminder of the town’s history. It was the first foundation and the first mosque of the town known as Djemaa Sidi el Kebir which was built in this area. It was here where Sid Ahmed el Kebir, the founder of Blida, built the first Mosque, a public bath (hamam) and communal village oven (koucha) nearby in ‘el Djoun area’. These were the first foundations of ‘El Blida’ as a town.
Place Ettoute’s present official name is ‘Place 1er November 1954’ but had different names during the French occupation; It was firstly known as ‘Places d’Armes’, then secondly ‘Place Clemenceau’. Furthermore, it was known as ‘La place du Kiosque’. The French used the place as a public space but also for different festivities and army parades.
Place Ettoute’s present official name is ‘Place 1er November 1954’ but had different names during the French occupation; It was firstly known as ‘Places d’Armes’, then secondly ‘Place Clemenceau’. Furthermore, it was known as ‘La place du Kiosque’. The French used the place as a public space but also for different festivities and army parades.
'Place Ettoute' is a constant reminder of the town’s history. It was the first foundation and
the first mosque of the town known as Djemaa Sidi el Kebir which was built here.
the first mosque of the town known as Djemaa Sidi el Kebir which was built here.
AT SUNSET: Al Kawther Mosque sits majestically in the backdrop of the square
Timeline
It is within this area of the square; in the 1530s that Sid Ahmed el Kebir built the first Mosque in Blida, Djemaa Sidi el Kebir. This Mosque was demolished by the French in 1840s as part of changing the area upon their occupation of Blida.
1867 the place was full of tents giving shelter to the residents after the devastating 1867 earthquake that hit the town.
In 1870, ‘Place Ettoute’ was only a large space where the French soldiers played ‘jeu de Paume’ a kind of tennis without racquet, it was popular game at the time. The soldiers will take part for hours in playing and this was disturbing the French colonists who used the space to walk around. The Municipality (local council) built then a water basin in the middle to discourage the soldiers from playing.
A year later in September 4th, 1871, a Mulberry tree (arbre du murrier) was planted nearby Café Laval (where L’ hotel Orient was situated), now it is ‘le circle USMBlida’ and café. The mulberry tree did not live for long before it was replaced by a popular tree (arbre peuplier) which was planted in the middle of the basin which in turn didn’t survive.
1867 the place was full of tents giving shelter to the residents after the devastating 1867 earthquake that hit the town.
In 1870, ‘Place Ettoute’ was only a large space where the French soldiers played ‘jeu de Paume’ a kind of tennis without racquet, it was popular game at the time. The soldiers will take part for hours in playing and this was disturbing the French colonists who used the space to walk around. The Municipality (local council) built then a water basin in the middle to discourage the soldiers from playing.
A year later in September 4th, 1871, a Mulberry tree (arbre du murrier) was planted nearby Café Laval (where L’ hotel Orient was situated), now it is ‘le circle USMBlida’ and café. The mulberry tree did not live for long before it was replaced by a popular tree (arbre peuplier) which was planted in the middle of the basin which in turn didn’t survive.
OLD PLACE ETTOUTE: The square and the kiosque-bandstand- went through several renovations in the past
1871, during the first French Republic and under the municipality of le Maire Fourier, the first palm tree was planted in the middle of what is now the square. It was called by the French ‘L’arbre de Liberte’- ‘the tree of freedom’. For the autochtone population who were under the French occupation it was ‘L’arbre Sacree’ - ‘The holy tree’ as it was within this area of the square where Sid Ahmed el Kebir built the first Mosque in Blida.
In early 1900, a bandstand in wood and in a Moorish Andalusian designed was built around the palm tree.
In early 1900, a bandstand in wood and in a Moorish Andalusian designed was built around the palm tree.
'La battaile des fleurs' a yearly event celebrating the flowers of Blida and its surrounding areas, used to end its festivities with a touch of music at 'Place Ettoute'
Under Alexandre Mauguin’s municipality (1881 - 1901), a wooden bandstand (kiosque de musique) was built around the palm tree. According to some records, the wooden bandstand was not built permanently but erected as when it is required for the different festivities.
In 1910, under the municipality of le Maire Berard, a small round water basin was built around the bandstand which sits on a decorative rocky and pebbles rocaille; and the palm tree. Since numerous renovations have happened.
In 1910, under the municipality of le Maire Berard, a small round water basin was built around the bandstand which sits on a decorative rocky and pebbles rocaille; and the palm tree. Since numerous renovations have happened.
The broken palm tree
PALM TREE: Part of the square's history
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During the night of Tuesday 4th to Wednesday 5th March 1947, a gusty wind known as Sirocco - which was unusual in this time of year - hit Blida and broke the palm tree. The local council had to cut the broken palm tree into two pieces to dispose of it as the municipality at the time could not save the tree and decided for a replacement. A ‘cocos’ palm tree was planted replacing its precedent. A month later, in April 1947, the local municipality replaced it by another palm tree.
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In 2000 and under le maire Hafsi, the bandstand was renovated by expanding the water basin and adding a green round space with different local flowers.
In 2017, the famous and iconic ‘Place Ettoute’ saw some major renovation. This latest restoration and design has revived the square and Blida as a whole. It has again offered the local population a place of leisure and rest just as it was previously.
PHOTO GALLERY - STYLISH PLACE ETTOUTEEnjoy the photography of the square in the morning, at sunset and
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ALSO SEE LINKS |
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HISTORY FROM THE DISTANT PAST
History is a sensitive and delicate subject that relies on many factors. How many ancient written manuscripts of Blida are in existence? How much of this heritage was protected against theft, negligence and disintegrated through natural causes such as heat, light, inadequate storage, etc. How many preventive measures were there to preserve archives of centuries ago? R E A D M O R E >>
HISTORICAL CRITICISM: It is important to establish facts from accurate and reliable sources
* Old Black and white photos/postcards of Place Ettoute are not the art work of Mahlaki ya el Blida. The credits for the photographs belong to the artists/ photographers and publishers. Mahlaki ya el Blida is only presenting the photos with the aim to portray the historical visuals of the subject.
