El Mechouar Palace
Tlemcen preserves only few simple memories of the achievements of its princes, represented in some architectural constructions, and the art it was decorated with. There is no doubt that the most prominent monument dating back to the Zayyanid dynasty is the fortress of Mechouar constructed by prince Imeghrassen Ben Zian who moved from the Mrabti palace next to the great mosque to settle in it in the mid- 7th century.
Sultan Imeghrassen was the first to encourage the cultural and educational movement in Tlemcen ,he ensured on bringing scholars to his capital and encouraged them on teaching and writing , with raising their ranks and generously giving them gifts and money. During Imerassen’s reign Cheikh Abu Ishak Ibrahim Ibn Yekhlef Altenssi the most famous scholar of his time and his brother Abu Hassan settled in Tlemcen . Today only the names of the castles built by prince Boutachfin in the beginning of the 8th hijri century are left to describe the greatness of its construction and the level of its perfect decorations. such as Dar Elmoulouk and Dar Abi Aahr these images are the best evidence of the greatness of these achievements.