Algiers

Algiers - darkometer rating : 6 - The almost identically named capital city of Algeria . It's naturally the No. 1 entry point and travel hub of the country, but also offers a few attractions of its own, including some dark ones. The principal landmark of modern Algiers, and independent Algeria at large, is the gigantic Martyrs Monument or Makam Ech-chahid towering over the city on a hilltop location called El Madania. It was inaugurated in 1982, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Algeria gaining independence from France . The structure, which some say resembles a half-peeled banana, is ca. 300 feet (92m) tall and certainly makes an impression, though not necessarily a positive one for everyone (I'd be inclined to view it more sympathetically, however). Housed directly beneath the monument is one of the two museums in Algiers that are of particular interest for the dark tourist. This one is called the " National Jihad Museum ". Don't get your expectations up too high. It's actually not about any old Jihad ('holy war' in Islam), but just about the one that led to Algeria's independence. The other museum, called Musee central de l'Armee , rendered in English as Museum of the Armed Forces, or simply War Museum, is basically about the very same period, the 1954 to 1962 Algeria War against the old colonial power France , which ended in 1962 when the country gained its independence. It was a nasty war, involving various massacres (even in Paris ) as well as torture (controversially) used as an interrogation method. It was damaging to France at home too, and ultimately led to the collapse of the Fourth Republic (and Charles de Gaulle's return to power, who then proceeded to facilitate Algerian independence). At these Algiers museums the emphasis is naturally celebratory, and with reverence to the Algerian revolutionary "heroes" of the independence struggles.