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:: Destinations
Tunis
::THE
MODERN CAPITAL
In all appearances, Tunis is
little more than a large country town in comparison to most
mega-cities elsewhere in the world. But almost everything the
traveler needs is available in the city center, which is
compact and easy to navigate. The medina and the compact ville
nouvelleare the focal points.
The Medina is at once ancient
and modern. It has been included in the U.N Heritage list of
historical monument to be preserved. Medina is the historical
and cultural heart of modern Tunis and a great place to get a
feel for life in the city. It was built during the 7th
century AD. One of the oldest of the medina's sights, the Zitouna
Mosque was rebuilt in the 9th century on the site of the
original 7th century structure. Its builders recycled 200
columns from the ruins of Roman Carthage for the central
prayer hall. Modestly dressed non-Muslims are allowed in as
far as the courtyard.
Near by is the Souq el-Attarine
or the Perfume Makers' Souq.
Your nose will certainly tell you why it has acquired
that name. All the shops in and around the area are full of
aromatic oils and spices. To the west, the Mosque of
Youssef Dey was the first Ottoman-style mosque to be built
in Tunis (1616). The adjacent Souq el-Berka is where
Muslim corsairs sold slaves in the olden days.
The
Tourbet el-Bey is a huge mausoleum that houses the
remains of many Husseinite beys, princesses, ministers and
advisors. The caretaker is a keen guide for the tourists. Not
far off, the Dar Ben Abdallah Museum houses the Centre
for Popular Arts & Traditions. The building is so majestic
that the exhibits seem almost lacklustre when seen against its
grand backdrop. Another attraction in the area is the Dar
el-Haddad, one of the medina's oldest dwellings.
The Madina lost its status as
Tunis Central to a certain extent when the French took over
and raised their Ville nouvelle around the turn of the 20th
century. The streets of the ville nouvelle are lined
with old French buildings replete with wrought-iron railings
and louvered windows, lending it a very European feel that's
heightened by a number of sidewalk cafés and patisseries.
After having an eyeful of the colonial architecture, a visit
to the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul is a must.
Gothic, Byzantine and North African, all these clashing
architectural styles are incorporated in its extraordinarily
bizarre design.
Outside of central Tunis is the
Bardo Museum, a not-to-be-missed sight. The museum is located
about 4km (2 miles) west of the city center, an easy taxi or
tram ride. It is housed in the former Bardo Palace, official
residence of the Husseinite beys. Once inside, you will be
overwhelmed by the sense of history streaming down. the
collection is broken down into sections that cover the
Carthaginian, Roman, early Christian and Arab-Islamic eras.
The Roman collection contains one of the finest assemblages of
Roman mosaics and statuary anywhere.
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