Italian
But to complete the variety of landscapes, we also have the famous Chott el Jerid, an immense flat expanse of salt lakes that during the hot periods, due to evaporation, transform into expanses of salt crystals.
Tunisia continues to amaze us when we arrive in Aïn Draham, which is located at an altitude of 800 m on the slopes of Djebel Bir, in the mountains of the Crumiria, and is therefore as green as our hills. This region is the wettest in Tunisia, with a national record of rainfall of 1,534 mm per year. The name means “silver spring,” evoking the sulfurous hot springs that were already used by the Romans in ancient times, as evidenced by some remnants of baths present. During the period of the French protectorate, between 1881 and 1956, Aïn Draham was a holiday resort.
As can be seen from this overview of Tunisian locations, it is clear that our prejudice against it is wrong and that visiting it personally can definitely dismantle it. Tunisia will surely amaze us.
Continuing on our itinerary, we reach El Jem, where we find the amphitheater of the ancient Roman city of Thysdrus, built about 200 years after Christ, the third largest in the Roman world and the largest in Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage site. But there are also gems, such as the small Berber town of Matmata, where the inhabitants have been forced by the scorching climate to dig their homes underground.
Another surprise awaits in the city of Dous, considered the gateway to the Desert and from where both camel excursions and off-road trips depart. In particular, the destinations of the latter also reach those places where the Indiana Jones films were shot, such as Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides.
Then you arrive at the largest oasis in Africa, that of Tozeur, called the city of drops of light, because it has an incredible number of date palms. It can be visited by carriage, which makes it even more romantic, in addition to reminding us of the famous song by Alice and Franco Battiato, The Trains of Tozeur.
But to complete the variety of landscapes, we also have the famous Chott el Jerid, an immense flat expanse of salt lakes that during the hot periods, due to evaporation, transform into expanses of salt crystals.
Tunisia continues to amaze us when we arrive in Aïn Draham, which is located at an altitude of 800 m on the slopes of Djebel Bir, in the mountains of the Crumiria, and is therefore as green as our hills. This region is the wettest in Tunisia, with a national record of rainfall of 1,534 mm per year. The name means “silver spring,” evoking the sulfurous hot springs that were already used by the Romans in ancient times, as evidenced by some remnants of baths present. During the period of the French protectorate, between 1881 and 1956, Aïn Draham was a holiday resort.
As can be seen from this overview of Tunisian locations, it is clear that our prejudice against it is wrong and that visiting it personally can definitely dismantle it. Tunisia will surely amaze us.
But if you visit the capital of Tunisia, you cannot miss its Medina, which is the oldest part of Tunis. Since 1979, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Medina, there are about 700 monuments, including various palaces and mosques, some of which no longer exist. A labyrinth of narrow alleys where you can find various souks, minarets, colorful doors, ancient grilles, covered passages, tea rooms, Quranic schools, Turkish baths, and tiny bakeries.
But in Tunisia, you can also visit the mythical city of Carthage, or rather its archaeological remains, which was founded in 814 B.C., according to tradition by Elissa (Dido). Due to its favorable location (between Lake Tunis and the sea), it quickly became a hub for trade and colonization (7th century B.C.) and soon became the most important Phoenician city. Known as a maritime, commercial, and military power, Carthage extended its reach to the Italian islands. Due to commercial conflicts, Carthage went to war with the Romans, leading to its destruction, or rather being razed to the ground, an event remembered by the famous Latin phrase “Delenda Carthago” (more correctly Carthago delenda est) which means “Carthage must be destroyed”.
But since Tunisia is home to the fourth most important city in Islam, Kairouan, it is possible to visit the great mosque, built with numerous columns and Corinthian capitals recovered from ancient Carthage, and it is flanked by the oldest minaret in North Africa. Not far away is the Barber’s Mosque and the seventeenth-century sacred well Bir Barbutta.
Continuing on our itinerary, we reach El Jem, where we find the amphitheater of the ancient Roman city of Thysdrus, built about 200 years after Christ, the third largest in the Roman world and the largest in Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage site. But there are also gems, such as the small Berber town of Matmata, where the inhabitants have been forced by the scorching climate to dig their homes underground.
Another surprise awaits in the city of Dous, considered the gateway to the Desert and from where both camel excursions and off-road trips depart. In particular, the destinations of the latter also reach those places where the Indiana Jones films were shot, such as Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides.
Then you arrive at the largest oasis in Africa, that of Tozeur, called the city of drops of light, because it has an incredible number of date palms. It can be visited by carriage, which makes it even more romantic, in addition to reminding us of the famous song by Alice and Franco Battiato, The Trains of Tozeur.
But to complete the variety of landscapes, we also have the famous Chott el Jerid, an immense flat expanse of salt lakes that during the hot periods, due to evaporation, transform into expanses of salt crystals.
Tunisia continues to amaze us when we arrive in Aïn Draham, which is located at an altitude of 800 m on the slopes of Djebel Bir, in the mountains of the Crumiria, and is therefore as green as our hills. This region is the wettest in Tunisia, with a national record of rainfall of 1,534 mm per year. The name means “silver spring,” evoking the sulfurous hot springs that were already used by the Romans in ancient times, as evidenced by some remnants of baths present. During the period of the French protectorate, between 1881 and 1956, Aïn Draham was a holiday resort.
As can be seen from this overview of Tunisian locations, it is clear that our prejudice against it is wrong and that visiting it personally can definitely dismantle it. Tunisia will surely amaze us.
Not just desert, but many other landscapes
If our idea of Tunisia is linked to the desert, we are not mistaken, but there is certainly much more. In fact, upon arriving at Tunis airport, you can already see an international stopover; as you start to visit the city, you can explore unique museums in the world, such as the Bardo Museum, an archaeological museum that contains, among other things, the richest collection of Roman mosaics in the world, all in perfect condition.
Located in the lavish residence of the bey (a Turkish-Ottoman title, historically given to leaders of small to medium tribal groups) of the 19th century, surrounded by a large garden rich in local essences, it spans three floors and is characterized by a particular natural brightness that enhances the exhibited artifacts.
Alternatively, strolling along the main avenue in the center of Tunis is the ‘Avenue Habib Bourguiba. Often compared to the Parisian Champs-Élysées for its width and numerous cafés with outdoor tables, this tree-lined avenue, approximately 1.5 km long, is considered the backbone of the modern city.
But if you visit the capital of Tunisia, you cannot miss its Medina, which is the oldest part of Tunis. Since 1979, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Medina, there are about 700 monuments, including various palaces and mosques, some of which no longer exist. A labyrinth of narrow alleys where you can find various souks, minarets, colorful doors, ancient grilles, covered passages, tea rooms, Quranic schools, Turkish baths, and tiny bakeries.
But in Tunisia, you can also visit the mythical city of Carthage, or rather its archaeological remains, which was founded in 814 B.C., according to tradition by Elissa (Dido). Due to its favorable location (between Lake Tunis and the sea), it quickly became a hub for trade and colonization (7th century B.C.) and soon became the most important Phoenician city. Known as a maritime, commercial, and military power, Carthage extended its reach to the Italian islands. Due to commercial conflicts, Carthage went to war with the Romans, leading to its destruction, or rather being razed to the ground, an event remembered by the famous Latin phrase “Delenda Carthago” (more correctly Carthago delenda est) which means “Carthage must be destroyed”.
But since Tunisia is home to the fourth most important city in Islam, Kairouan, it is possible to visit the great mosque, built with numerous columns and Corinthian capitals recovered from ancient Carthage, and it is flanked by the oldest minaret in North Africa. Not far away is the Barber’s Mosque and the seventeenth-century sacred well Bir Barbutta.
Continuing on our itinerary, we reach El Jem, where we find the amphitheater of the ancient Roman city of Thysdrus, built about 200 years after Christ, the third largest in the Roman world and the largest in Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage site. But there are also gems, such as the small Berber town of Matmata, where the inhabitants have been forced by the scorching climate to dig their homes underground.
Another surprise awaits in the city of Dous, considered the gateway to the Desert and from where both camel excursions and off-road trips depart. In particular, the destinations of the latter also reach those places where the Indiana Jones films were shot, such as Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides.
Then you arrive at the largest oasis in Africa, that of Tozeur, called the city of drops of light, because it has an incredible number of date palms. It can be visited by carriage, which makes it even more romantic, in addition to reminding us of the famous song by Alice and Franco Battiato, The Trains of Tozeur.
But to complete the variety of landscapes, we also have the famous Chott el Jerid, an immense flat expanse of salt lakes that during the hot periods, due to evaporation, transform into expanses of salt crystals.
Tunisia continues to amaze us when we arrive in Aïn Draham, which is located at an altitude of 800 m on the slopes of Djebel Bir, in the mountains of the Crumiria, and is therefore as green as our hills. This region is the wettest in Tunisia, with a national record of rainfall of 1,534 mm per year. The name means “silver spring,” evoking the sulfurous hot springs that were already used by the Romans in ancient times, as evidenced by some remnants of baths present. During the period of the French protectorate, between 1881 and 1956, Aïn Draham was a holiday resort.
As can be seen from this overview of Tunisian locations, it is clear that our prejudice against it is wrong and that visiting it personally can definitely dismantle it. Tunisia will surely amaze us.
