What to see in Tunis, an itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including Medina, Al Zaytuna Mosque and ruins of the ancient city of Carthage.
Tourist information
Capital of Tunisia, Tunis is a city that, while looking at the traditions of the Mediterranean, does not hide its Arab and African roots.
All of this is clearly visible in the architecture, which is characterized by the clear contrast between the Medina, which constitutes the historic center, characterized by Arab-style buildings, and the Ville Nouvelle or new city, built in French colonial style.
The Medina, the vital and spiritual center of Tunis dating back to the seventh century AD, is characterized by a labyrinth of narrow and winding streets that at first glance may seem confusing, but in a short time they turn out to be fun, as they allow you to discover various shops and street vendors of souvenirs, rugs, jewelry, copper objects, ceramics and exotic spices.
On the streets you notice old men in traditional clothes, while young people simply go around in jeans and shirts.
There is no lack of food markets and ancient monuments, including the Al-Zaytuna Mosque and that of Sidi Yousef, the first Ottoman-style mosque in Tunis, dating back to the seventeenth century.
What see
In the peripheral area stand out the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, the picturesque village Sidi Bou Said, a source of inspiration for many artists, and the wonderful beaches of La Marsa, much appreciated for the particularly white sand that covers them.
The Al-Zaytuna Mosque, which occupies an area of over 5000 square meters, is the only one in which access is also granted to those who do not profess the Muslim religion, even if limited to the central courtyard.
Among the oldest mosques in Africa, it was built in 732, using stones from the nearby Roman Carthage, but reached its maximum splendor only from the thirteenth century, when it became an important Islamic university.
It is also known as the Olive Tree Mosque, as tradition has it that the building was built in the same place where there was an ancient place of prayer with an olive tree in the center.
The main street of Tunis is represented by the elegant and wide tree-lined avenue Habib Bourguiba, which leads from the central railway station to the Medina.
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Along it are banks, shops, restaurants, outdoor cafes, as well as the Municipal Theater and the Cathedral of San Vincenzo de Paoli.
In front of the religious building is the statue of the scholar Ibn Khaldun, while nearby is the grandiose clock tower, erected in honor of the presidency of Ben Ali.
The Dar Ben Abdallah Museum is housed inside the imposing house of Dar Ben Abdallah, dating from the late eighteenth century, which constitutes one of the best preserved buildings in the Medina.
It contains a rich collection of furniture, fabrics and handicrafts, which testifies to the lifestyle of the local bourgeoisie of the nineteenth century.
It is also very interesting to see the section dedicated to popular arts and traditions, which shows a selection of the best examples of traditional crafts.
The National Museum of Tunisia is housed in the Bardo Palace, dating back to the thirteenth century but completely renovated and reorganized in recent times.
In the building, which is an extraordinary example of Arab-Muslim architecture, it is possible to admire a vast collection of Roman mosaics.
In Tourbet El-Bey, an eighteenth-century Ottoman mausoleum, 160 Husaynid princes are buried, together with the ministers and their families, a dynasty originating in Crete that reigned in Tunisia.
The sumptuous interior is decorated with tiles, marble and carved plaster.
The eight-pointed star motif represents the gates of paradise.
