The association Bel Horizon Santa Cruz was born in October 2001, the will of a group of heritage enthusiasts.

Bel Horizon is defined as a combination of action and advocacy for the "Backup and rehabilitation of the historical heritage of Oran."

She benefited from a project of the European Commission entitled "Museum of Old Oran" whose specific objective is "to rehabilitate and develop the site of the fort Santa Cruz"

To achieve these objectives, the association has developed a multitude of activities that have the following results:

1- 20 young guides trained monuments , to give visibility to our rich heritage, often neglected and ignored. These young leaders have the mission to spread the heritage culture in Oran youth and protect the heritage by a vigilant citizen attitude.

2. Documentation on the history and heritage of Oran created : Bel Horizon edited the first fine book on the city of Oran, published in three different editions: Oran, Marseille and Paris. The association process to the full edition of a reference book on the city, "Oran, geography and study of urban history" of René Lespes (1938). The latest products of Bel Horizon is a CD-ROM and a guide to monuments (2005).

3- Securing places and voluntary actions of monument protection : In addition to termination of work, vigilance, warning and filing a complaint against the heritage deteriorating authors, Bel Horizon conducts voluntary campaigns on the site Santa Cruz and one of the places security work for the visitors.

Initiative for the classification of Old Oran : Scientific Committee of Bel Horizon began a preliminary study for the world ranking of Old Oran and obtaining a backup plan and rehabilitation of the historic city, where the focus is located essential historical monuments of Oran.

Initiative for the creation of the national network of heritage associations : With the support of the European Commission-PMU, Bel Horizon initiated the first national heritage network, bringing together 25 associations from 14 wilayas. The founding sitting held in Oran, in April 2004. They were followed by consolidation and consultation meetings in Nedroma (December 2004) and in Tebessa (March 2005).

Cultural and scientific activities around the popularization of heritage issues and problems :

Creating a film club "cinema and heritage"
Series of lectures on heritage at the Sophia Library
Initiation of a cultural tourism circuit and regular guided tours
Celebration days and Heritage Month
mass outflows of organization and walks towards Santa Cruz
traveling exhibits towards youth centers and schools.

Youth Exchanges with Mediterranean associations.