A brief history of Tunisia
Carthage is at the heart of Tunisia's ancient history. The Phoenician counters that are installed there will make it, from 1100 years BC and for nearly two centuries, the
economic capital of what has been called the “Punic Thalassocracy”.
The empire of Rome attacked Carthage three times, which in ultimately
destroyed. Julius Caesar set up a colony there in 44. It would prosper
for four centuries.
From 647, Arab expeditions set up the bases of a Muslim state in
Carthage. A colonization of 700 years then takes place and it is from
1560 that the Ottoman Empire invades Tunisia which becomes an
autonomous province led by a Pasha.
The modernization of the country is done at the cost of a heavy debt which allows France to set up a protectorate in 1883. The latter will not be lifted until 1956 when the independence of Tunisia is recognized.
Tunisia today
Literal Arabic is the official language of Tunisia, but French also holds a large place there due to the French protectorate. Tunisian Arabic and Berber are also languages you will hear during your stay in Tunisia.
Islam is the official Tunisian religion and Muslim religious holidays are public holidays. However, Tunisia is known for its great tolerance towards Christianity and Judaism. As for gastronomy, you will taste in Tunisia many dishes based on vegetables and beef and mutton. Fish, couscous and pasta are also often found on Tunisian menus.
You will also discover many Tunisian traditions both in clothing and crafts during your visits, but you should know that the emblematic flower of Tunisia is jasmine. You will therefore not be surprised to see, in the evening, vendors offer bouquets of jasmine to passers-by in the street and to motorists stopped at crossroads. You will also know that a man indicates his celibacy by wearing jasmine on his left ear, jasmine means love .
All your purchases within the 24 governorates that make up Tunisia are in Tunisian dinars.
Tunisian culture
Cinema, music, literature, sport, theater and painting are present at different levels in Tunisian culture.
El Teatro, which is located in Tunis, is one of the most versatile places of culture in the country: concerts, art exhibitions, theatrical and dance performances as well as poetry recitals follow one another throughout the year.
However, the most famous theater in Tunis remains the Municipal Theater inaugurated in 1902. Sarah Bernhardt, Jean Marais, Aly Ben Ayed performed there among other celebrities.
On the musical level, the interbreeding which is at the origin of Tunisian music makes it a music very appreciated by all.
In Tunisia, the sports and fitness market has undergone a marked evolution. In recent years, we have seen the birth of various fitness centers to gain muscle or slimming centers to lose weight.
The main Tunisian cities
Tunis
Gateway to Tunisia, the atmosphere of Tunis will seduce you with its tangled alleys within one of the most beautiful medinas in the Arab world. In the historic center, you will discover the Great Mosque, the Three Medersas (schools/universities), hammams, sumptuous palaces and of course the famous Tunisian souks. Located a little outside the city, the port of La Goulette is worth stopping for a few hours.
Tozeur
In Tozeur, you will admire the clay brick walls of the houses of one of the oldest districts of
the city called Ouled el-Hadef. The patterns of these walls recall those of Tunisian carpets as well as local calligraphy. The masons have done a wonderful job
that you will discover during your walks in Tozeur. Impossible to leave Tozeur without having visited its zoo and observed all the desert animals it hosts. The star of the place is a dromedary who drinks Coca-Cola from the bottle: a must!
Kairouan
If you had to visit only one city in Tunisia, it would be Kairouan. Indeed, the wealth of this city is at the origin of its inclusion in 1988 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, Kairouan was, in 2009, proclaimed the capital of Islamic culture. Mosques, minarets, mausoleums await you in this city of incomparable aesthetics. The ramparts of the city also offer a grandiose spectacle. Before leaving Kairouan, you will have to admire the sumptuous traditional carpets of this city. Most often made of sheep's wool, their geometric patterns are characteristic. Stylized flowers and diamonds compose them in multiple colors.
Douz
Douz is located on the edge of the Erg Oriental and is the center of Saharan tourism. You will come across Bedouins, meharis, but also Sloughis who are the short-haired desert greyhounds that take part in the excursions.
Sfax
In addition to the medina and the souks, two museums deserve your visit to Sfax. First of all, the Dar Jallouli museum (named after the rich traditional house with a patio from the 17th century which houses it) which presents the popular arts and traditions of the region. Then, the archaeological museum, whose building is renowned for its neo-Moorish architecture also houses the Town Hall of Sfax.
Sousse
The particularity of Sousse is in its catacombs. Extending over five kilometers and containing approximately 15,000 burials, this place dating from the end of the first century offers a maze of underground galleries in which one discovers what was both a clandestine cemetery and a place of worship and a space of sacred artistic creation.
Monastir
The ribat of Monastir (fortified convent of the first centuries of Islam) is the largest in the Maghreb. Climbing to the top of Nador (the watchtower), you will discover the whole place and the wonderful bay of Monastir. It is an incomparable point of view on the beauty of the Tunisian landscapes. Going down, the Museum of Islamic Arts will give you a very nice overview of the fabrics, glassware and ceramic objects that make up the local heritage.
Djerba
Djerba is a large island located southeast of Tunisia, close to the border with Libya. Magnificent beaches and whitewashed square houses make Djerba a heavenly place. Let yourself be enchanted by the effervescence of the markets and the Mediterranean animation of the café terraces of this island which is said to have inspired Homer for his Odyssey.
Sidi Bou Said
After multiple visits and excursions, you will appreciate the tranquility of Sidi Bou (as the regulars of the village say). Perched on a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Tunis and Carthage, this small village allows you to take a break in the popular café des Nattes before walking to the gallery of the lighthouse from which you can enjoy a splendid view of surroundings and, in the evening, on magical sunsets.
Medenine
Ksour and sets of provision granaries of semi-cylindrical shape called ghorfas; the first of them were built around the 17th century. Above all, it is a starting point for many tourist routes.
(Star Wars were filmed here)
Carthage
Carthage alone deserves multiple paragraphs to describe its many attractions and treasures. We will therefore stick here to the essentials, which are the hill of Byrsa, cradle of the ancient Punic city, the Antonine baths, the amphitheater and the hill of the Odeon.
The Bardo Museum
This magnificent museum located in Tunis contains all the history of Tunisia. Of particular note is its collection of mosaics, which is the largest in the world and which includes the famous representation of the poet Virgil.
The red lizard
This is the name of a tourist train that we take from Métlaoui in the center-west of Tunisia and which travels 43 kilometers in the gorges of Selja. Allow about two hours for this very entertaining activity. The filming locations of the film: "Star Wars" Fans of Georges Lucas' films will be delighted during their stay in Tunisia. The great American director has indeed chosen several Tunisian sites to shoot memorable scenes from his world-famous saga. In total, there are nine places that science fiction lovers can visit in Tunis, Douz or Matmata. These mythical places are the subject of many excursions in which you can take part.
Plan your stay in Tunisia according to the major events taking place there
The Cathage International Festival has taken place every summer since 1964 and brings together the big names in Tunisian music, jazz and theatre.
The Carthage Jazz Festival is much more recent for its part since it held its first edition in 2005 and takes place in April in the city of Gammarth.
The International Festival of the Sahara obviously takes place in Douz. It is at the end of December that thousands of people converge on the city to celebrate the desert. On the program: camel races, Bedouin weddings, Sloughi hunts, songs, dances and the traditional poetry contest !
Welcome to Tunisia !