Medina of Tunis
Location: Tunis, Tunisia
Year of Inscription: 1979
Criteria: (ii) exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning, or landscape design;
(iii)to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
(v)to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change.
Overview: The Medina of Tunis is a historic city located in the capital city of Tunisia. It was founded in the 8th century and is known for its well-preserved Islamic and Andalusian architecture and urban layout. The medina is a maze-like network of narrow streets and alleys, with traditional houses, mosques, and madrasas dating back to the 7th century. The area is also home to a vibrant cultural scene, with traditional markets, music, and art.
Prominent Features: The Medina of Tunis is divided into two main parts: the Medina proper and the Kasbah. Some of the most notable features of the medina include:
The Great Mosque of Tunis: Founded in the 7th century, the Great Mosque of Tunis is one of the largest mosques in North Africa and is renowned for its distinctive minaret.
Zitouna Mosque: Built in the 8th century, the Zitouna Mosque is one of the oldest and most important mosques in Tunisia.
Dar Hussein Museum: Housed in a 17th-century palace, the Dar Hussein Museum contains a collection of traditional Tunisian arts and crafts. Bab Bahr (Sea Gate): Built in the 14th century, the Bab Bahr is one of the most important gates in the Medina of Tunis.
History: The Medina of Tunis was founded in the 8th century and quickly became an important center of Islamic culture and scholarship. The city was the capital of Tunisia until the 12th century and played a key role in the country's political and cultural development. Today, the medina remains one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval Islamic city in the world.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the narrow streets and alleys of the medina, visit traditional markets, and learn about Islamic culture and history at the Great Mosque of Tunis and the Zitouna Mosque.
Fun Fact: The Medina of Tunis is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the Zitouna University, founded in the 8th century.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee to explore the Medina of Tunis. However, some of the individual sites within the medina, such as museums and mosques, may charge an admission fee.
How to Reach It: By Air: The nearest airport to Tunis is the Tunis-Carthage International Airport, which has flights to several major cities in Europe and Africa. From the airport, visitors can take a taxi or shuttle bus to the medina.
By Train: Tunis has a train station that connects to several major cities in Tunisia, including Sousse and Monastir.
By Bus: Tunis is also accessible by bus from several other cities in Tunisia, including Sfax and Gabes.
Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in and around the medina, including traditional riads (Moroccan-style guesthouses) and modern hotels. Some popular options include the Dar El Jeld Hotel and Spa, the Dar Ben-Gacem, and the La Maison Arabe Tunis.
Next Stop: Archaeological Site of Carthage
Year of Inscription: 1979
Criteria: (ii) exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning, or landscape design;
(iii)to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
(v)to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change.
Overview: The Medina of Tunis is a historic city located in the capital city of Tunisia. It was founded in the 8th century and is known for its well-preserved Islamic and Andalusian architecture and urban layout. The medina is a maze-like network of narrow streets and alleys, with traditional houses, mosques, and madrasas dating back to the 7th century. The area is also home to a vibrant cultural scene, with traditional markets, music, and art.
Prominent Features: The Medina of Tunis is divided into two main parts: the Medina proper and the Kasbah. Some of the most notable features of the medina include:
The Great Mosque of Tunis: Founded in the 7th century, the Great Mosque of Tunis is one of the largest mosques in North Africa and is renowned for its distinctive minaret.
Zitouna Mosque: Built in the 8th century, the Zitouna Mosque is one of the oldest and most important mosques in Tunisia.
Dar Hussein Museum: Housed in a 17th-century palace, the Dar Hussein Museum contains a collection of traditional Tunisian arts and crafts. Bab Bahr (Sea Gate): Built in the 14th century, the Bab Bahr is one of the most important gates in the Medina of Tunis.
History: The Medina of Tunis was founded in the 8th century and quickly became an important center of Islamic culture and scholarship. The city was the capital of Tunisia until the 12th century and played a key role in the country's political and cultural development. Today, the medina remains one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval Islamic city in the world.
Family-Friendly Activities: Families can explore the narrow streets and alleys of the medina, visit traditional markets, and learn about Islamic culture and history at the Great Mosque of Tunis and the Zitouna Mosque.
Fun Fact: The Medina of Tunis is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the Zitouna University, founded in the 8th century.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee to explore the Medina of Tunis. However, some of the individual sites within the medina, such as museums and mosques, may charge an admission fee.
How to Reach It: By Air: The nearest airport to Tunis is the Tunis-Carthage International Airport, which has flights to several major cities in Europe and Africa. From the airport, visitors can take a taxi or shuttle bus to the medina.
By Train: Tunis has a train station that connects to several major cities in Tunisia, including Sousse and Monastir.
By Bus: Tunis is also accessible by bus from several other cities in Tunisia, including Sfax and Gabes.
Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in and around the medina, including traditional riads (Moroccan-style guesthouses) and modern hotels. Some popular options include the Dar El Jeld Hotel and Spa, the Dar Ben-Gacem, and the La Maison Arabe Tunis.
Next Stop: Archaeological Site of Carthage