Before we talk about visiting the attractions of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, let’s learn a little about the history of the city.
Tunis – a short history of the capital.
The capital of Tunisia – Tunis (1,100,000 inhabitants) is the main economic and cultural center of the country. The city is situated on a shallow lagoon, approx. 10 km from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Tunis’ origins date back to antiquity when it was founded as a Phoenician trading settlement of Tunes. From around VII century BC it was ruled by Carthage. During the Third Punic War, it was destroyed by Roman troops in 146 BC. Later rebuilt by Emperor Octavian Augustus. From 670 AD under Arab rule.
In the 12th century, Tunis became the capital of the country and also a center of piracy in the Mediterranean. From the 16th century, the city came under the rule of the Turks. The French occupied Tunis in 1881. Since 1956, Tunis has been the capital of independent Tunisia.
Visiting Tunis.
One day is enough to explore Tunis and the surrounding area. First of all, it deserves attention Bardo Museum, which is located in the former Bey’s Palace in the western part of the city. The museum is recognized as the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. In chronological order, we go from prehistoric, Punic history to the Roman periods in the history of Tunisia.
A separate new building was intended to display the discovery made by archaeologists at an underwater excavation near the city Magdiawhere, in the late 1940’s, Jacques Cousteau discovered a sunken Roman ship. Near the museum is the building of the Tunisian Parliament.
Tunis attractions.
A walk around the center can be extremely interesting Medina in Tunis. If you are craving entertainment, you can visit Belvedere park, on the territory of which is the zoo and amusement park Dah-Dah (locals call it Tunisian “disneyland”). There is a small oceanographic museum in the suburbs of the capital Salammbo.
