I envie escapade I wishlist getaway I رغباتنا مغـامـرة
1. La célèbre place du
kiosque, centre-ville de
Sfax I The famous “Kiosque
Square“, downtown Sfax I
Sfax The vibrant city
ُ ساحة
وسط،الظ َّلة الشهير
I مدينة صفاقس
2. Patio du musée Djellouli I
Patio of the Djellouli
Museum I
Discreet but enchanting city, Sfax is bursting with positive energy ! Its history, its unique gastronomy and its
majestic medina are some of the assets of this authentic town whose goal is to promote its beautiful but longignored heritage.
I فناء متحف الجلولي
The history of Sfax and its medina
The archaeological site of Thyna
True economic centre of Tunisia, Sfax is the second largest city in the country.
Located about a dozen kilometers from Sfax’s centre, Thyna is today an
Its main resources essentially come from its industries and fish export and its
archaeological vestige that can be visited. The undertaken excavations have
excellent olive oil renowned across the world.
revealed the importance of the city as soon as the 4th century B.C. Free city
Once named Syphax and later Taparura during the Roman era, it was rebuilt in the
at the time of Augustus, it became a colony under Hadrian in 128. The city has
9th century using stones from the Roman city. The extraordinary ramparts with their
probably known some troubles during the 4th century, but it remained important
huge towers have a perimeter of 2000m. This historical centre, which remains one
until the 7th century after Christ. The town walls encompass 83 hectares but there
of the most beautiful attractions in the city, was able to preserve its monumental
are still many vestiges left to discover. You will have the opportunity to admire its
heritage, mainly represented by the religious buildings, including the Great Mosque
baths, its mausoleum, its necropolis as well as several Roman houses. It is also
and the urban fabric of the medina itself. In 2012, the medina is in fact proposed to
interesting to visit the archaeological museum of Sfax, whose Roman collections
be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can visit, around its ramparts, the
mainly come from the archaeological site. I
modern city and its very special architecture, born during the French protectorate.
A long walk in the city’s heart will allow you to discover all its riches.
Sfax 2016 cultural centre
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After Constantine in 2015, the Arab League Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ALESCO) chose Sfax to be the 2016 Capital of Arab Culture. The
official inauguration of this major event took place on 23 July. An international
event whose purpose is to promote the heritage and richness of this thousandyear-old city. Therefore, three great projects are underway to celebrate this event.
The first one consists in enhancing the medina through renovating its ramparts,
upgrading its public space and through a whole series of initiatives that aim to
list the medina as a UNESCO world heritage site. The second project consists
in rehabilitating the church of Sfax by transforming it into a media library of the
latest generation that will be a major place of exchange and knowledge open to
the public. The last project has an ecological and environmental purpose, the
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reconciliation of Sfax and the sea, mainly through the rehabilitation of the old
fishing port, Chott el Kerkennah.
Le Palais djellouli, musée régional des arts
et traditions populaires
C’est au cœur de la médina, que se niche ce magnifique palais, réhabilité depuis 1939 en musée régional des arts et traditions populaires.
Demeure datant du XVIIe siècle, le palais Djellouli est un véritable
lieu chargé d’histoire. Construite par les Andalous réfugiés d’Espagne
au XVIIe siècle, cette demeure fut par la suite achetée par Farhat Djellouli, caïd de Sfax, riche armateur et grand commerçant. Elle sera
jusqu'à 1939 la demeure principale de la famille Djellouli. Son architecture, pensée dans le plus pur style classique des demeures traditionnelles tunisiennes, est véritablement remarquable.
On retrouve dans cet éblouissant musée, fondé sous la direction de
Lucien Golvin, célèbre directeur régional des arts et traditions populaires de Sfax de l‘époque, les sublimes traditions et art de vivre de
la médina, parfaitement illustré par l’ensemble des pièces d’expositions. Vous pourrez de plus admirer la façade de la demeure, alliant
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simplicité et élégance, recélant une cour carrée dallée de marbre blanc
et aux parois revêtues de céramique ainsi que le magnifique patio à
colonnades aux chapiteaux sculptés.
Le site archéologique de thyna
Située à une dizaine de kilomètres du centre de Sfax, Thyna est aujourd’hui un vestige archéologique à visiter. Les fouilles entreprises
ont révélé l’importance de la ville dès le IVème siècle avant J.C. Ville
libre à l’époque d’Auguste, elle fut promue au rang de colonie par
Hadrien en l’an 128. La ville a dû connaitre quelques troubles au
IVème siècle mais demeura importante jusqu’au VII siècle après J.C.
L’enceinte de la ville englobe 83 ha mais beaucoup de vestiges restent
encore à découvrir. Vous pourrez contempler ses thermes, son mausolée, sa nécropole ainsi que plusieurs maisons romaines. Il est aussi
intéressant de visiter le musée archéologique de Sfax dont l’essentiel
des collections d’époque romaine provient du site archéologique. I
The Palais Djellouli, regional museum
of arts and popular traditions
In the heart of the medina stands a magnificent palace, rehabilitated in 1939 as a
regional museum of arts and popular traditions. Dating back to the 17th century,
the Palais Djellouli is a place loaded with history. Built by Andalusian refugees
in the 17th century, this residence was then bought by Farhat Djellouli, rich
shipowner and important merchant from Sfax. It will remain until 1939 the main
residence of the Djellouli family. Its architecture, designed in the purest classical
style of traditional Tunisian houses, is truly remarkable. This stunning museum,
founded by Lucien Golvin, famous regional director of arts and popular traditions
in Sfax back then, presents the sublime traditions and art of living of the medina,
perfectly illustrated by the exhibits. You will also have the chance to admire the
residence’s façade, which combines simplicity and elegance and hides a square
courtyard paved with white marble and whose walls are covered with ceramic
tiles, as well as a beautiful patio that features colonnades with carved capitals.
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