What attractions are there in Tunisia. Laser show "Al Zahra". What sights are worth seeing

Sights of Tunisia. The most important and interesting sights of the cities of Tunisia: photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, sites.

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Fortress of Gazi Mustafa

The fortress of Gazi Mustafa is the most monumental attraction of Djerba, located on the embankment of the capital of the island, the city of Houmt Souk. Its long and glorious martial history dates back to the 9th century, when the Arab conquerors North Africa to protect against pirates, a fortified citadel was erected on the coast.

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The New Medina at Yasmine Hammamet

The new medina of Yasmine-Hammamet, or, as it is also called, the Mediterranean medina, is an obligatory item in the cultural program of tourists vacationing in this resort and in Hammamet itself. This is an ancient Arab city recreated with demonstrative thoroughness behind the fortress wall.

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The history of the region is conditionally divided into Punic, Christian and colonial periods. This is reflected in museum evidence of the past, in the exterior and interior of buildings, and works of art. However, if we talk about the capital of the state, called Tunisia, a very significant period for it can be called the colonial era. The French colonists did not treat the local culture with liberal understanding and respect, imposing their own rules. And since nostalgia for the “best of cities” has already eaten them up, a city similar to Paris has grown on the African continent. The buildings of the 19th century have not completely survived to this day, but the colorful “Arab Paris”, surrounded by more traditional buildings along the perimeter and preserved in the form of a small business district, still attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world. Don't miss the chance to walk along Habib Bourguiba Avenue, visit the medina ( Old city, founded in the 8th century), see the Zituna mosque and the mausoleum of Torbet el-Bey, look into the palaces of Dar el-Bey, Dar ben Abdellayi and famous palace Bardo, which houses a very colorful Mosaic Museum.

Every town in Tunisia hides a lot of curious places, on every street you just have to get rid of the vain, smell, taste and listen - and you are guaranteed a sea of ​​unforgettable impressions!

However, the main attraction in Tunisia is the ancient remains of the city of Carthage. As the elder brother of Rome, he was the most prosperous city in the Arab world, until he seriously swung at world domination - and therefore even the location on the top of the mountain did not save him from destruction by the warlike Romans. It was literally wiped off the face of the earth a couple of thousand years ago, but to this day the ruins of Carthage keep echoes of magnificent architecture, and its cultural heritage and household items, works of art adorn the collections of museums not only in Tunisia, but also in many world capitals. Mandatory to visit the amphitheater of Carthage, Birs hill with the Cathedral of St. Louis, National Museum Carthage, the baths of the emperor Antoninus Pius and the huge cisterns for collecting water Maalga.

One of the best preserved archaeological parks in Tunisia and greater territory Africa, the real ancient Roman city of Dougga testifies to the times when local lands were provinces of Rome. Being listed world heritage UNESCO, Dougga offers connoisseurs an abundance of ruins of ancient buildings from all times: an amphitheater built in 199 AD. e., still serving as a platform for the annual theatrical festival, the Punic mausoleum, the forum and the Square of the Winds, the Capitol, the Baths of Caracalla, 21 temples of various periods and religions, and much more.

Sidi Bou Said, 17 km from the capital of Tunisia, is a small museum town on a hill that offers a picturesque view of the Gulf of Carthage. The landscape is perfectly complemented by the contrasts of local architecture: snow-white buildings with piercing blue shutters, platbands on the windows and curly bars on them. Since 1915, it has been forbidden by law to change anything in the appearance of buildings, and therefore most of the houses in the old part of the town are ready-made museum exhibits. Especially worth paying attention to the estate of Dar el-Annabi, as well as the Museum of Arabic and Mediterranean Music.

To wander through the streets of the most authentic medina in Tunisia, you need to go to Kairouan - the once sacred capital of Tunisia, for Muslims and is still considered the fourth most important after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. In addition, Kairouan, founded in the 7th century by the Arabs at the crossroads of the most important trade routes of Africa, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Of the must-see places, it is worth highlighting the main mosque and the ruins of the Palace of the ruler, as well as authentic carpet workshops with wonderful knotted carpets.

Sousse is the noisiest youth resort coast with an indispensable medina behind the fortress wall, medieval fortress, picturesque architecture, as well as the noisiest discotheque of the coast - Bora Bora. Very close is Port el Kantaoui - a tiny port-garden that attracts tourists with luxurious hotels, villas and a wonderful yacht club.

But connoisseurs of silence, solitude and natural attractions should not pass by an excursion to Douz - the gate to the silence of the largest Sahara desert on the planet. In confirmation of this, on the outskirts of the city, right in front of the Big Dune, there is a monument in the form of a key. Numerous excursions to the Sahara depart from here, but the city itself remains part of it: one half of it is similar to many other Tunisian cities from their medina, and the second reminds that this is a real oasis in the desert with thick date palms. Today it tourist centre with all the necessary services for this.

However, this is only part of the variety of impressions, the most curious evidence of antiquity and modern color that you will find in Tunisia. Each town here is fraught with many curious places, on every street you just have to get rid of the vain, smell, taste and listen - and you are guaranteed a sea of ​​unforgettable impressions!

Tunisia is an attractive state for tourists not only from the point of view of a beach holiday, but also from the study of the history of the country. It was here that the history of peoples was born many thousands of years ago. That's why tourist places here are a must to visit. Here are the TOP 15 most significant attractions.

Carthage

Carthage - ruins ancient city which is now an open-air museum. Here you can find out about centuries of history civilization, touch the buildings built before our era. At the same time, the ruins of Carthage are located next to the modern residence of the president for the summer, an elite suburb has grown around. Getting from the capital to Carthage is not difficult: about 100 Russian rubles(1 dinar) by train to the Tunis Marine station or by taxi for 10-12 dinars. With a ticket to Carthage, you can visit the archaeological museum.

Ruins of ancient Carthage in Tunisia

City of Sidi Bou Said

Near Carthage in the northern part of the country is the city of Sidi Bou Said, named after Saint Said. Here the spring of the same name beats, and it looks like a residential museum. Traditional architecture in blue tones will amaze every traveler. On observation platform overlooking the entire bay.

Streets of Sidi Bou Said

sea ​​view

Walking through the streets

Tourists in Sidi Bou Said

Trading shops

Pedestrian streets

Sahara

The second association that arises in connection with this country is the Sahara Desert. You can watch it for free. To do this, you need to get to the city of Douz by public or tourist transport, put your things in the hotel (having previously booked the storage). Local residents will lead you to the Sahara, you can ride camels or tetracycles. In the Sahara, you should definitely wait for a wonderful sunset.

Camel travel in the Sahara

Sands of the Sahara Desert

Camel ride in the Sahara Desert

Coliseum

On the way to the Sahara is the Colosseum, known from numerous films and historical chronicles. A UNESCO-protected amphitheater stands in El Jem. It looks much better than the Roman counterpart. In every tourist city there is a taxi-luage that will take you to the sights. You will have to pay 10 dinars to enter the Colosseum, photography is not included in the ticket.

The greatest mosque in Africa is located in the province (vilayet) of Kairouan, the town of Metlawi and is called Sidi Uqba. It is the world's fourth most important center of religion in the Muslim hierarchy. It is worth noting that all mosques are open to tourists.

At the Phrygia Zoo near the resort of Hammamet, African animals live in open spaces, in a natural environment. All African animals are collected here, you can swim with dolphins. It is possible to get to Phrygia by taxi or with a sightseeing bus. Entrance to the zoo costs 8-10 dinars, depending on the date of the visit.

Flamingo

Territory of Phrygia Zoo

Giraffes and ostriches in the zoo

White tigers

Children at Phrygia Zoo

Giraffes in Phrygia

Dolphin performance

Fur seal performance

Inhabitants of Phrygia Zoo

Unique exhibits of the mosaic of times ancient rome, Christian, Arabic, Phoenician past are collected in the Bardo Museum. There are 12 halls in the national complex, where the cultural heritage is divided into historical periods. The museum building itself is also interesting - a palace of the Middle Ages. The entrance to the museum is 15 dinars, the photo is paid separately.

Inside the Bardo Museum

Inside the museum

atlas mountains

The Tower has a monumental landmark, which you can see for free. These are the Atlas Mountains, which start in Tunisia, run along the Moroccan coast to Algiers. Mountains separate the sea coasts from the Great Sahara.

Djerba Explore Crocodile Farm

An hour's drive from the capital, there is a crocodile sanctuary in Jebri. Alligators were brought here from Madagascar, so they can be called relic animals. Seeing crocodiles costs 5 euros. You can take pictures with animals, even hold them.

Berbers live here, traditionally building houses in the form of semi-dugouts. Shops and cafes are arranged in the underground dwellings of the ancient people. Such burrows provide comfortable temperature in a region where the heat and cold are monstrous. By the way, this is where the house of Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars is located. Getting to Matmata on your own is expensive, as the road runs along a paid autobahn. However, his visit is included in the traditional bus tours.

Caveman Matmata

matmata

Matmata Square

Following in the footsteps of Star Wars

Following in the footsteps of Star Wars

There are many in Tunisia modern places for visiting.

Embankment and port of Monastir

The embankment in Monastir is traditionally used as a place for walking. On the left is the incredibly blue sea, ahead are the urban skyscrapers of hotels. A clean beach and a large number of entertainments lure tourists on the promenade for the whole day.

Port Marina is a parking place for a variety of yachts. Here, simple boats and luxurious yachts of the rich land on the shore. Numerous restaurants with fishermen's cuisine are open on the shore. The harbor is located next to the Medina. The harbor operates mainly in the first half of the day, admission is free.

Dancing fountains of Sousse

In Sousse, in the port of El Kantaoui you will be delighted dancing fountains with beautiful lights. In a small park where a complex of fountains is built, it is pleasant to take a break from the heat and spend a romantic evening.

Clock tower

There is Big Ben in the capital. The clock tower appeared in the late 80s of the last century, stands on one of central squares city ​​(avenue Habib Bourguiba). Visitors note the obvious similarity of the attraction with Big Ben in foggy Albion.

Amusement Park Carthage Land

An analogue of the famous Disney Land. Amusement park located in Hammamet. In addition to various attractions, there is a mini-zoo, pastry shops, cafes. You can ride around the park on a majestic white elephant. The cost of skiing without restrictions is about 1000 rubles in our equivalent.

Close to Carthage Land

entrance to the park

In the park

attractions

attractions

Entertainment for children

Al Zahra laser show

In Kaala Kerib (Soussa), guests of the country are shown a modern laser show "Al Zahra", where you can not only enjoy the beauty of the effects, but also learn the history of Tunisia. Three hours of performance will fly by.

Sights of Tunisia

- it's not only beautiful beaches but also many surprises. It is a North African country with Sahara sand dunes, ancient ruins and exotic cities. once part of the Roman Empire, and after the fall of Rome, many objects of cultural wealth remained here. The influence of the Arab countries affected the architecture.

Once you've got to know the minarets and feel like a gladiator on El Jem, it's time to go to the Sahara to experience the desert beauty of the yellow sands. Sun-drenched beaches mediterranean sea, washed by gentle waves, will be waiting for your return.

El Djem Amphitheater

Modern city surrounded by the walls of the majestic Roman amphitheatre. Not badly preserved for our days, but is one of the best examples of this type of architecture, sending us back to the time when the Roman Empire conquered more and more new lands of North Africa.

You can wander through the corridors and the arena, or climb onto the upper tiers, imagining yourself as a resident of that era that has long sunk into oblivion.

Djerba

A fabulous beach holiday is about the island of Djerba. In the main city of the island, you can get lost among the same white houses and shops. The beaches of Djerba are appreciated for their graceful coastline adorned with date palms. Your summer dreams will come true right here!

Sidi Bou Said

- This small village located at the top of the cliff. It is so picturesque and miniature that it seems as if it is part of the artist's canvas. It is not surprising that many painters created their works of art here. Winding lanes, wrought-iron fences, white houses, bluer than doors - Mediterranean rural architecture is the highlight of Tunisia.

Carthage

Carthage, once a rival of Rome, was built by the Phoenicians. The history of the city is forever inscribed in the books about the legendary Punic Wars. Even the greatest cities turn into ruins - these and other philosophical thoughts come to mind. When you walk through what's left of Carthage.

Bardo Museum

Even those who usually don't like going to museums will be impressed by the beauty of the mosaics that hold the collections of the Bardo Museum. This museum is one of the best in all of North Africa, and the collection of various mosaics is one of the richest in the world.

Grand Erg Oriental

Most Tunisia is occupied by the sand dunes of the Sahara. One of the most beautiful corners the deserts are the Grand Erg Oriental. The constantly changing landscape gives a certain surrealism. Tourists enjoy riding buggies and camels here. Sitting on top of a dune and watching the sunset is a moment you will never forget.

Bulla Regia

There are many Roman ruins in Tunisia, and Bulla Regia is one of the most popular. History buffs will certainly enjoy exploring the Roman buildings, some of whose walls have remained intact. Bulla Regia is an echo of the ancient world, which has practically disappeared into oblivion.

Kairouan

Mosques, madrasas, tombs - there are a lot of monuments in Kairouan, this is the fourth most important Islamic city. Arabic architecture is very inspiring with its thin minarets and huge domes. Labyrinths of lanes, colorful houses, interesting objects at every step - be sure to visit if you are going to relax in Tunisia!

Sousse Medina

This area of ​​the city is a shopping paradise with huge selection ceramics, leather and metal products. Away from markets and bazaars, there are quiet streets where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle.

Chott el Djerid

The unearthly landscape of Chott el Djerid is full of mirages shimmering on the horizon and a piece of puzzles that make up the pattern of the earth cracked from dryness. This desert area, located next to Tauzare, amazes with its dazzling natural rigidity. You will see such bizarre landscapes that you could not even think of before.

Hammamet

- a beautiful resort, snow-white buildings overlooking the bright blue sea. All the joys of summer holidays are embodied on the gentle sands of this beach.

Monastir Ribat

This is the most photographed building in Tunisia. Monastir Ribat is one of the few surviving port buildings, which used to serve as a fortress wall for the city. Now he serves as tourist site, an iconic attraction that should be added to your list of places to visit during your holiday in Tunisia.

Play gladiators, meet real troglodytes, stroke a crocodile and watch the sunset in the desert - we have prepared a list of what you will definitely want to do in Tunisia.

Tunisia: plunge into the rhythm of life of an Arab millionaire

It is logical to start acquaintance with the country from the capital. Most of the tourist sites are located in the medina (old town), which is an attraction in itself. Stroll through its narrow streets filled with noisy merchants, find treasure in a souvenir shop, buy a red felt hat with a flat top - business card countries, getting lost and getting into a cafe, rushing to the smell of a hookah - this is not a complete program of immersion in the authentic flavor of Tunisian life. Noisy, bright and inviting Tunisia. Russian artist Alexander Rubtsov, who lived here for many years, wrote that if he left this region, he would “always feel nostalgic for colors and colors.” By the way, Rubtsov's paintings depicting local life and landscapes, along with the works of local artists, can be viewed in the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. And then go to the suburbs of the capital, where the Mosaic Museum is located in the village of Bardo. Founded in 1888, it is the largest (after Cairo) archaeological museum in Africa. The exposition includes six sections (the rooms of Sousse, Odysseus and Dugga are especially entertaining).

Carthage: touch the ruins of Carthage

Just imagine, these ruins are over 2500 years old! Carthage is the northern metropolitan suburb, on the territory of which the walls of Carthage, the ancient trading city founded in 814 BC. e. Phoenician queen Dido. The history of Carthage is a confusing mixture of legend and fact. Dido, who fled with her retinue from her brother Pygmalion (the king of Tyre, who killed Dido's husband out of unwillingness to share power), bought the land from the local king Iarbant. According to the agreement, she could take as much land as an oxhide could cover. The queen cut the hawk into thin strips and thus occupied the whole mountain. For two centuries Carthage prospered, controlling the seas of the western Mediterranean and rivaling Rome, but in 146 B.C. e. destroyed in the third Punic War.

Sidi Bou Said: to do beautiful pictures

Anibal Trejo / Shutterstock.com

For pictures, go to the village of Sidi Bou Said, which is located 17 km from the capital. picturesque mountains, calm sea surface, snow-white houses with blue shutters will serve as a wonderful background. Blue and white have been the signature colors of this place since 1915, when Baron Rudolph d'Erlange, who bought a villa here, made the decision to keep the city in the appropriate range. Then, at the beginning of the century, Sidi Bou Said became a place of inspiration for the Impressionists Paul Klee Michel Foucault, who wrote his famous book The Archeology of Knowledge, also visited this town, and André Gide, Nobel Prize winner in literature, created his landmark work Theseus, all of which left their mark on the bohemian the atmosphere of the place.

Great Eastern Erg: sit on a dune

A trip to the Sahara could be the icing on your holiday cake. The territory of the republic is captured by the eastern outskirts of the largest sandy sea this desert - the Great Eastern Erg. This is a cluster of huge waves of sand (the highest reaches 250 m), formed under the influence of the constantly blowing Saharan wind. Along with camel riding, the greatest pleasure available here is to watch the sunset over the Sahara while sitting on a huge sand dune.

El Jem: Explore the ancient Roman amphitheater

Built in 230 and designed for 30,000 people, the El Jem amphitheater was the third largest in the Roman Empire (after the Colosseum and the theaters of Capua and Verona). Today it represents one of the finest examples of surviving amphitheater architecture. Here you can play gladiator fights on a huge arena measuring 65 by 39 meters. Go downstairs to see the places where animals, prisoners and fighters were kept before the show. And then climb up to inspect the upper tiers, which were considered VIP stands because they were protected from the bright sun.

Kairouan: visit the holy city

Kairouan is the fourth holiest city in the Muslim world after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It was founded in 670 along with the main mosque of the same name. From then until today, Kairouan is not only a place of religious pilgrimage, it also attracts tourists interested in history and Arabic architecture. The oldest part of Kairouan is the best preserved compared to other Tunisian medinas. It is surrounded by a 3.5 km long brick wall with towers built in the 18th century. The main mosque of Kairouan is under the protection of UNESCO. It is located in the northeast corner of the medina, its massive minaret is built into the city wall, and the territory with a huge courtyard is bounded on three sides by columns.

Matmata: visit the troglodytes

A great opportunity to get acquainted with the life of the Berber people is to go to the south of Tunisia, where the town of Matmata is located. Here, troglodytes (“cave dwellers” in Greek) live in traditional dugouts. The history of the creation of these unusual houses, according to legend, goes back to the Roman era, when two Egyptian tribes were sent to the Tunisian lands and the locals were forced to hide. Already in modern times, in 1967, after the flooding of underground dwellings, ground-based houses were also built, but many locals live the same as they used to before. There is also a hotel here, the fame of which was brought by the shooting of the film "Star Wars". In the George Lucas movie saga, she portrayed the home of the protagonist Luke Skywalker. So welcome to the planet Tatooine. By the way, the village of Tatooine really exists, and you can get there too. Rent a car and drive, the roads are beautiful, the main thing is not to forget the Arafatka, the wind and sun in the desert are no joke.

Djerba Island: feed the crocodile

The best thalassotherapy centers in Tunisia work on the island of Djerba, and for the beaches with fine-grained white sand it was nicknamed the "Mediterranean Tahiti". The first item on the list of entertainment in Djerba is crocodile farm Park Explorer, where at one time four hundred alligators were brought from the Nile Valley and even from Madagascar. It is most interesting to watch animals during feeding, you can even take a photo for memory. Among the attractions of the island are also pottery workshops and the El Ghriba synagogue, built by the Jewish community over 2000 years ago. According to legend, the place of its construction was indicated by a stone that fell from the sky (possibly a meteorite).

Sousse: dance

The city of Sousse is the third largest in the country. It is considered a fashionable world resort and is ideal for lovers nightlife. The local disco Bora Bora is the largest outdoor dance floor in all of Africa. Sousse consists of three parts: the northern (actually tourist), the medina and the center with residential buildings. In the western part of the city, there are catacombs from early Christian times that extend for miles around. And about 12 km from locality located resort town Port El Kantaoui with beautiful panoramic views. Outside the city, you can also watch the theatrical laser show "Al-Zahra" about the history of the Tunisian state.

Monastir: see the ancient fortress

20 km south of Sousse is located hometown the first Tunisian president, Habib Bourguiba. Now his mausoleum is located here. However, we advise you to go to Monastir not only to visit it, but also to see with your own eyes, perhaps the most recognizable place in the country - the Ribat fortress. Built in the 8th century under the leadership of General Hartem ibn Aayoun, it was part of a series of forts that protected the coastline of what was then the Islamic empire from pagans in the north. And in modern history Ribat has played a role in cinematography, being featured in films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Life of Brian and Jesus of Nazareth.

On the southern coast of the warm Mediterranean Sea, an amazing country is comfortably located, which fascinates with its grandeur and rich history. We are talking about Tunisia - the pearl of the African continent, which attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year. This state is famous not only warm sea, delightful beaches and unique oriental flavor, but also unique architectural and natural objects. The sights of Tunisia will not leave indifferent any traveler - they are so majestic and grandiose.

1. Amphitheater in El Jem

The amphitheater in El Jem is one of the most famous attractions in Tunisia. It was built in the III century on the model of the Roman Colosseum. Historians suggest that the first stones in the foundation of this grand structure were laid in 230. Construction continued for eight years, however, was never completed. Until the 7th century, the building remained unclaimed and almost disappeared from the face of the Earth - the locals began to dismantle it and use the stones for their own needs.

The amphitheater in El Jem was built specifically for gladiator fights and chariot races. That is why, under this building, ancient architects conceived a real underground city with special rooms for animals, slaves and gladiators. About 30 thousand spectators, who were located on the steps of the amphitheater, could watch their bloody battles at the same time. This building was used for the filming of the famous film "Gladiator".

2. Ruins of Carthage

The ruins of one of the most majestic cities of the ancient world, founded in the 9th century BC. e., located in the suburbs of Tunisia. For several centuries, this city-state fought with the Romans, and in the II century BC. e. was completely destroyed by them. In its place was erected new town, which later became the most influential in the entire Mediterranean. It is its ruins that tourists see now.

Archaeologists managed to partially restore only a few structures of that time. Among them is the Roman amphitheater for 5 thousand spectators, in which naval battles were held. Among the ruins of Carthage there are the remains of residential quarters, sanctuaries, Roman baths, as well as the longest in antique time plumbing. Nowadays, excursions to this attraction of Tunisia are very popular with tourists.

3. Fortress of Gazi Mustafa

The fortress of Gazi Mustafa is considered the most monumental attraction of the island of Djerba. The construction was erected by the Arabs in the 9th century to protect against the constant attacks of bloodthirsty pirates. The fortress impresses with its impregnability - it is surrounded by a deep moat along the entire perimeter, and its stone walls are 4 meters wide.

Throughout its history, this building has been repeatedly destroyed and modernized. She acquired an additional floor and corner battle towers only in the 16th century. At the same time, the fortress received its name, which was given to it by the name of the Turkish commander. Within the walls of the fortress for three centuries there was a pyramid of skulls of the Spaniards, who tried to recapture this building for three months. It has a fortress and a second name - Borj el-Kebir.

4. Medina of Tunisia

Medina is considered the historical and spiritual heart of Tunisia. old center cities. The first buildings were erected here in the XII-XV centuries. Along the entire perimeter, Medina was surrounded by a fortress wall, of which nothing remains now. Only stone gates and part of the fortifications remind of this grandiose structure.

Currently, the Medina of Tunis attracts tourists with its labyrinth of intricate narrow streets with buildings of different eras and styles, an old market with many shops and souvenir shops, as well as the Great Mosque (Jami ez-Zeitoun Mosque), which is the spiritual center of the whole country. A feature of this attraction is its oval shape, while rectangular is considered classic. The change in shape occurred as a result of its multiple expansions over the last millennium.

5. La Griba Synagogue

La Griba is considered the oldest synagogue not only in Africa, but also in the world. It is located on the territory of the Tunisian island of Djerba in one of the former Jewish villages. Historians suggest that it was erected in the VI century. BC e. Its founders were exiled Jews who rushed to seek refuge after the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple of King Solomon.

From the ancient synagogue, only a small part of the foundation has survived to this day. The modern building that tourists see was built in the 19th century on the site of a 16th-century building. The name of the synagogue - La Griba - translated from Arabic into Russian means "amazing". And this attraction, in fact, surprises - not only with rich interior decoration, but also with a real treasury of the most valuable religious literature. Among the sacred scrolls is the world's oldest copy of the Torah.

6. Fort Hammamet

To the list of the most popular tourist destinations Fort Hammamet in Tunisia. The history of the fort, which rises in the center of the Medina of the city of Hammamet, dates back to the end of the 10th century. This fortress, like others on this coast, was built specifically to protect the followers of Islam from militant Christians and pagans from the desert and the sea. Subsequently, the building was modernized several times, as a result of which it became possible to place shooters and firearms on it. In the 20th century, it was restored again and turned into a museum.

The fortress has the shape of a deformed square with walls 13 meters high. Currently, on its territory you can see ancient Turkish cannons, a fortress wall, a museum of the history of the fort and a souvenir shop. In the center of the fort is the tomb of the warrior monk Sidi Bu-Ali, who lived in it in the 15th century.

7. Fortress Ribat

The ancient fortress of Ribat is one of the most striking sights of the Tunisian city of Monastir. The structure was erected in the 8th century to protect against attacks by enemies, and at first it was small in size. But over time, it was transformed into a large-scale defensive complex, the first largest built in North Africa in the Middle Ages. The defenders of the fortress were devoted Muslim monks who were trained in the basics of military affairs and combat tactics.

The fortress covers an area of ​​more than 4 thousand square meters. Due to numerous reconstructions, many passages and passages appeared in the walls of the building, as a result of which the Ribat became like a labyrinth. The building is perfectly preserved, and therefore films are often shot in it. Some of the most popular blockbusters filmed in Ribat are "Indiana Jones" by S. Spielberg and "Jesus of Nazareth" by V. Zeffirelli.

8. Sahara Desert in Tunisia

The Sahara Desert is one of the most interesting places in Tunisia for tourists. The Sahara is the largest hot desert on the planet. It occupies more than 8.6 million square kilometers, which is about a third of the area of ​​​​all of Africa. Many mistakenly believe that the desert is solid sands, deserted expanses and endless golden plains with dunes and pits. However, sands occupy only 25% of the Sahara, the rest of the area is mountains. volcanic origin and stony rocks.

The desert has many attractions, including the ruins of the outpost of the Roman Empire - Fort Tisavar, the highest dune of the eastern Erg Zemlet el-Borma, monolithic sacred mountain Tembain, and, of course, the most scenic spots The Sahara are oases surrounded by palm groves.

9. Bardo National Museum

This museum, located in the suburbs of Le Bardot, the Tunisian capital, is rightfully considered a landmark of all of North Africa. He is the owner of the most valuable funds - a large number unique artifacts, as well as the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics dating from different eras.

The Bardo National Museum is housed in a 13th-century country palace built for the then-ruling Hafsid dynasty. It first opened its doors to visitors in 1888. Thanks to the exhibits presented in it, you can get acquainted with the history of Tunisia and the legendary Carthage, see household items, jewelry, ceramics of the ancient Romans, and also consider marble statues their gods. But the main wealth in this museum is mosaics - it presents both the first samples of this art, simple in technique and modest in scale, as well as monumental, rich compositions of the Romans of our era. This is a must visit place in Tunisia!

10. Mosque of the Seven Sleepers

The Mosque of the Seven Sleepers is located in a small mountain Berber village called Shenini. On its territory there are five-meter tombs, in which, according to legend, giants rest. According to legend, this temple was founded by the Berbers in memory of seven Christians who lived during the Roman Empire. Fleeing from the persecution of the Roman legionnaires, they took refuge in a cave, where they plunged into a sound sleep for four centuries. At the same time, their bodies continued to grow, and when they woke up, they appeared before local residents real giants. After their death, their bodies were buried in accordance with Muslim rites, since at that time Islam was already flourishing in the country.

11. Medina Sousse

The medina of the city of Sousse was built in the Middle Ages, around the 9th-11th centuries. This architectural complex is one of the excellent examples Arabic architecture which has come down to our days in its original form. The winding narrow streets of the Medina are surrounded by a ring of walls made of stone blocks left over from the ruined ancient Roman buildings.

Medina of Sousse is decorated with picturesque ancient buildings. It is here that the main attractions of the city are located - prayer houses, among which Grand Mosque, Bu Ftata, Sidi Ali al-Ammar and others, the Kasbah fortress, the archaeological museum, the fortress-monastery Ribat, as well as the shopping area with local artisans and souvenirs.

12. Shebika Oasis

The sights of Tunisia are not only architectural monuments. You can verify this by visiting a truly heavenly place at the foot of the Jebel el-Negub mountain - the Shebika oasis, which is considered one of the most beautiful oases on the entire planet. Every year, tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see this natural phenomenon- a sky-blue lake with lush green vegetation, surrounded on all sides by the burning sands of the desert and barren rocks.

In ancient times, there was a Roman outpost on the territory of Shebiki, later shelters for the Berbers were built in these places. However, their village was almost completely destroyed by mudflows, and therefore the inhabitants had to leave these parts. Now Shebika is a favorite place for tourists and filmmakers. This mountainous oasis became a natural backdrop for E. Minghella's film The English Patient, which was filmed in 1996.