I envie escapade I wishlist getaway I مغـامـرة رغباتنا
I envie escapade I wishlist getaway I مغـامـرة رغباتنا
The Medina of
Tunis
A stroll out of
time
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The Medina of Tunis, a
traditional town in the
heart of the capital,
remains undoubtedly a
living memory as well
as the beating heart of
Tunisian life. This timeless
venue has survived albeit
the modern life. It is
today one of the major
touristic places. But
the discreet Medina has
not yet unveiled all its
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secrets.
and one fabrics between djellabas, appellation are numerous. Some say
Origins of the Medina sefsari, berber plaids and carpets from that this is due to the presence, for a
The Arab city, founded at the end of every Tunisian region. Walking along the long time, of an olive tree in the centre
the 7th century, was built around the streets of the Medina, it is common to of the patio. But the most probable
Ezzitouna (olive tree) mosque. The catch a glimpse through the door ajar hypothesis would be that the mosque
architecture of the Medina is very of a shop, of a craftsman hammering was built on the site of an ancient olive
different from that of Western cities. leather, or through the window of a grove. It is literally the heart of the city,
Here, there are no orthogonal streets house, of a family gathered around tea, the starting point of the arteries that
or wide gates, but winding alleys and to marvel at an old house converted lead to the main gates. Although it is
dwellings with wooden lattice, which into a café like El Mrabet, a restaurant the second largest mosque in Tunisia
are discovered by pacing this place out like Dar El Jeld or a guesthouse like Dar (after that of Kairouan), it extends
of time, away from the crowd. el Medina. Along those alleys, you end over nearly 5000 square metres. Great
up reaching two suburbs: Bab Souika in religious festivals are celebrated with
Discovering the Medina the North with its Arab architecture and its walls. Once you access its large
Walking through the Kasbah, a fortress its numerous cafes, and Bab Dzira in the courtyard, you will be amazed at its 184
built in the first half of the 13th century, South, where you can enjoy a delicious antique columns coming mostly from
and now the address of the main local fricassé (salty doughnut). Walking Carthage site.
ministries as well as “l’Hôtel de Ville” of along leather and wood accessories, Tunis, the capital’s municipality. When your promenade ends when you are The Khaireddine Palace
you are engulfed in one of the adjacent facing a gigantic gate, centring Port de Situated not far from the headquarters
streets, you cannot ignore the stoned France, the famous old square marking of the Association de Sauvegarde
walls of the Ezzitouna mosque, the the junction between the Medina and de la Médina (Medina conservation
heart of the Medina, and the starting the European city. You are back to the society), this palace is integrated into
point of all its streets. You then discover new times! the city’s restored track (which extends
2. Ruelle du quartier d’habitation
de la médina de Tunis I Medina of
Tunis, residential alley I احلي حارة
تونس مدينة يف السكين
assured colonial influence. Hence
the disctinctive, monumental style
combining traditional ornamentation
with wide openings and Western
decorations. This building steeped in
history served many purposes during
more than a century: a court, a primary
school, to become in 1999 the Museum
of Tunis. It now houses exhibitions of
Tunisian and foreign artists. The palace
is an a must-see site of the Medina. I
from Ezzitouna Mosque to Pacha
a tangle of alleys with uneven widths
leading towards Echawachia souk, then Ezzitouna mosque, the heart of the Street). Built around 1860 by Minister
towards El Berka (goldsmith’s souk). Not Medina at that time Khair-Eddin Pasha, this
far, the stalls decorated with a thousand Hypotheses about the origin of this palace’s
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1. Ruelle des artisans I Artisans
alley I احلرفيني حارة
architecture
enjoyed
an
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