Hajj Ahmed became head of state of Constantine in 1826, and started building the Palace of Ahmed Bey two years afterwards. Development was slow, in part due to objections of the more influential bey of Algiers, but Ahmed ultimately occupied his new dwelling in 1835. Beyond the elevated white walls lies one of the supreme Ottoman-period buildings in the country. With a series of courtyards bounded by tiled arcades, it is filled with gardens of olive and orange trees, and embellished with Tunisian and French tiles.

Ahmed's pleasure of this breathtaking place was short-lived because two years after he moved in, the French pursued him out and turned the palace into their headquarters.

After freedom the Algerian military moved in. The palace has been closed for more than 25 years but was undergoing important renovation at the time of research. It is a immense project - there are, for instance, some 250 marble columns, acres of tiles and 45 carved cedarwood doors.