Miaâra

The three-story riad Miaâra stands out for the intricate geometric patterns of its lime-plaster carvings and the deep, cool shadows of its central courtyard. Built within the historic Jewish quarter of the Mellah, the house served as a family residence for generations of artisans. In the nineteen eighties, the building fell into neglect until a French architect discovered the original cedar ceiling beams hidden under layers of cheap paint. She spent five years scraping them back to reveal the intricate painted motifs.