Tunisia Travel Advice – Eight Recommendations

[youtube:R6hlP9ajp4Q?fs=1;attractions in tunis;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6hlP9ajp4Q?fs=1&feature=related]No Tunisia travel advice is complete without the Amphitheatre of El Jem. Also spelt ‘El Djem’, it is the largest amphitheatre in North Africa and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. This amphitheatre held up to 35,000 spectators. Dating from the 3rd century, the ruined amphitheatre offers a quality of construction comparable with the Roman Coliseum. Animals, prisoners and gladiators, awaiting battle, were housed in the underground passageways.

The Medina of Tunis is the ancient area of the city and it was named a World Heritage Site in 1979. It includes 700 monuments and is unique in being a group of historic buildings which are preserved intact and which demonstrate the links between sculpture, architecture and art which were typical of this period of Islamic urban planning. The doors which line the road are full of the symbolic motifs and colors which celebrate Islam and Tunisian ways of life. The Hafsid dynasty reigned here for three centuries and their tricolor coat of arms is on display. Unusual geometric designs made from small and large nails decorate the areas over the doors.

In the Medina of Sousse you can feel the atmosphere of ancient Tunisia. Once you have entered the Medina by its southerly gate, you can discover the delights of its ‘souq’ or covered bazaars. You could also visit the museum (Dar Essid) which gives a good impression of upper-class traditional Tunisian life. The rooftop cafe affords great views across the city. The Great Mosque radiates peace, due to its rather severe Aghlabite style.

Conservation was the inspiration behind the creation of Ichkeul National Park. A wetland, containing a lake and marshland offers and astonishing diversity of ecosystems. The park is home to a wide variety of bird life, flora and fauna. These include pink flamingos, storks, ducks, coots and geese as well as the perhaps more unusual shovellers, pochards and widgeons. 400 species of plant thrive in this environment as well as water buffalo, wild boar and otters. A large number of different fish also live in the National Park, as varied as seahorses, sea bass, eel and anchovy.

Kerkouane was an important Punic city. Its Necropolis (large burial site, from the Greek meaning ‘city of the dead’) was discovered in 1929 by a local schoolteacher who sold much of the treasure and jewellery he found. The network of vaults, four tomb-chambers and the surrounding area which make up the Necropolis lie northwest of the town of Kerkouane. Many other precious artefacts have been unearthed, including a set of rare perfume flasks. A sarcophagus cover representing Astarte, protectress of the dead, was another rare find. This UNESCO World Heritage site (1985) was declared as this is the only surviving example of a Phoenicio-Punic city.

Kairouan is known as the Islamic Cultural Capital. Since its foundation in the 7th century it became an important centre for Koranic study. It is considered to be Islam’s fourth holiest city and the Mosque of Uqba is situated here.

Conservation inspired the creation of Ichkeul National Park. This wetland offers an astonishing diversity of ecosystems. The park is home to many birds, 400 plants species, as well as animals and fish. Ducks such as shovellers, pochards and widgeons share the terrain with buffalo, wild boar and otters.

17 centuries of Tunisian history are recorded in the north western site of Dougga/Thugga. These ruins of a complete city combine the architectural and design styles of four major periods: the Numidian, Punic, Greek and Roman. These very distinctive styles can be seen in private houses and shops as well as in more public edifices, such as the circus, the theatre, fountains, the market, public baths and the temples dedicated to the ancient gods of Rome.

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