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Hidden from the prying eyes, an architectural treasure is
nestling on the hill of Sidi Bou Saïd. Like a temporal gate, this
large and massive yellow door, studded with black nails, opens
on the exceptional house of Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger.
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4
1. Autoportrait. Rodolphe
d’Erlanger. Huile sur toile.
157 x 120 cm. I Rodolf
d’Erlanger. Self-portrait. Oil on
canvas. 157 x 120 cm. I
.رودولف ديرالنجي. بورتري ذايت
رسم بالزيت عىل القامش القامش
I . 751سمx 120
2. Galerie centrale du Salon
d’Honneur avec vue de deux
rangées d’arcs cintrés sur
colonnes géminées. I Central
gallery of the VIP lounge
with view on two rows of
perpendicular arches on twin
columns. I
C
harmed by the modest village bathed in light, taking advantage of the climate to
heal his lungs, the Baron settles in Sidi Bou Saïd and undertakes the construction
of the palace in 1912. According to the legend, the aristocrat of German origin
has surrounded himself with the best artisans from Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt
in order to design what is going to be the first historic monument classified after
independence. In 1922, the palace is completed. In literary Arabic, it is called
“Ennejma Ezzahra”.
The English translation of Ennejma Ezzahra, the Splendid Star, speaks volumes of his standing. Whereas the
external façade of the palace is inspired by Moorish style, the monument contains a well-kept secret, an
architecture that harmoniously combines different styles : Arabo-Andalusian, Italian and Spanish. Once inside,
the eye is drawn to the central gallery of the VIP lounge and its finely sculpted plaster setting that can be found
in every room.
Enjoying the calm and this unique light, the Baron, a master painter, has put his workshop in the east wing of
the palace. Some of his works are still displayed there, as if frozen in time. However, during the last years of his
life, the artist has translated Arab musical documents of the Middle-Age, helped by Tunisian musicians.
Ceded to the state in 1991 by the Baron’s descendants, nowdays the palace houses the Arab and Mediterranean
Music Centre. I
الرواق املركزي للقاعة الرشفية
و صورة ألقواس نصف دائرية
محمولة عىل صفني من األعمدة
I .املزدوجة
3. Majless traitionnel, dit
“Salon de musique” où le baron
d’Erlanger tenait ses
séances musicales. I
Traditional majless, called
“music room” where the baron
d’Erlanger organized his music
sessions. I
املجلس التقليدي، أو « قاعة
املوسيقى » أين يقيم البارون
I .ديرالنجي جلساته املوسيقية
4. Portrait d’un notaire.
Rodolphe d’Erlanger. Huile sur
toile. 140 x 152 cm. I Rodolf
d’Erlanger. Portrait of a notary.
Oil on canvas. 140 x 152 cm. I
رودولف ديرالنجي. صورة
لكاتب عدل. رسم بالزيت عىل
I . 251سمx 140 القامش
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