The origins
In Algiers Lalla Myriam or Madam Africa is the name you are likely to hear the Virgin Mary the Mother of Jesus called by. The Basilica of the Our Lady of Africa is dedicated to this Virgin Mary the Mother of Jesus. Right from the beginning this basilica has been a place of prayer and pilgrimage. From the outside you will notice the basilica is built in a Byzantine style with an influence of Spanish-Moorish architecture inside. Two women, Marguerite Berger and Agarithe Cinqin are credited for their tenacity and faith in making sure that this basilica is built. The bishop at the time of construction was Bishop Pavy (1846-1866) and it is to this bishop that the two women went to convince him to built the basilica. The Architecture for the Basilica was a French man Jean Eugine Fromageau.