It is Tunisia’s largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants.Tunis is located in north-eastern Tunisia on the Lake of Tunis, and is connected to the Mediterranean sea’s Gulf of Tunis by a canal which terminates at the port of La Goulette / Halq al Wadi. The ancient city of Carthage is located just north of Tunis along the coastal part.
The city of Tunis is built on a hill slope down to the lake of Tunis. These hills contain the places, Notre-Dame de Tunis, Ras Tabia, La Rabta, La Kasbah, Montfleury and La Manoubia which altitudes beyond just 50 meters.The city is located at the crossroads of a narrow strip of land between Lake Tunis and Séjoumi. The isthmus between them is what geologists call the “Tunis dome”, which includes hills of limestone and sediments. It forms a natural bridge and since ancient times several major roads linking to Egypt and elsewhere in Tunisia have branched out from. The roads are also dependent with Carthage, emphasising its political and economic importance not only in Tunisia but in Africa in Roman Times.
Weather
Tunis has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate characterized by a hot and dry season and a cool and rainy season. The local climate is also affected somewhat by the latitude of the city, the moderating influence of the Mediterranean and the terrain of the hills.
Winter is the wettest season of the year, when more than a third of the annual rainfall falls during this period, raining on average every two or three days. In spring, rainfall declines by half. The sunshine becomes dominant in May when it reaches 10 hours a day on average.
In summer, rain is completely absent and the sunlight is at a maximum. The average temperatures in the summer months of June, July, and August, are very high. In autumn, it begins to rain, often with short thunderstorms, which can sometimes cause flash floods or even flood some parts of the city.The month of November marks a break in the general heat with average temperatures ranging from 11 °C to 20 °C
Sight Seeing in Tunis
The medina of Tunis has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The Medina contains some 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains dating from the Almohad and the Hafsid periods. These ancient buildings include:The Great Mosque (including the Muslim University and library)
- Aghlabid Ez-Zitouna Mosque (“Mosque of the Olive”) built in 723 by Obeid Allah Ibn-al-Habhab to celebrate the new capital.
- The Dar-al-Bey, or Bey’s Palace, comprises architecture and decoration from many different styles and periods and is believed to stand on the remains of a Roman theatre as well as the 10th century palace of Ziadib-Allah II al Aghlab.
- The historical sites of Carthage and the beautifully painted village in white and blue of Sidi Bou Said can also freshen up the tour to Tunis. Tunis is a completely an ideal place for city break which has numerous activities to enjoy. Tunis does not have beaches of its own, but you can still visit to some nearby beaches at La Marsa and Gammarth.
Bab el Khadra
The Bab-el-Khadra is one of the gates which are used as an entrance to the Medina. The architecture of this part is very unique and is not expected in this part of the Northern Africa. The architecture is uniquely European and manages to appear similar to the looks of gates of a European castle. The 14th century gate was again rebuilt in the year 1881.
Souks
The souks are a network of covered streets lined with shops and traders and artisans ordered by specialty. Clothing merchants, perfumers, fruit sellers, booksellers and wool merchants have goods at the souks, while fishmongers, blacksmiths and potters tend to be relegated to the periphery of the markets
The main and oldest of them, is the
Zitouna Mosque
, founded in 698 and built in 732 and is in the heart of the Medina. It was completely rebuilt in 864 and is a prestigious place of worship, and was long an important place of culture and knowledge with the Zitouna University on the premises until the independence of Tunisia. It still hosts the main ceremonies marking the dates on the Muslim calendar and is regularly attended by the president.
The medina contains most of the major mosques in the capital which were built before the advent of the French protectorate. The mosque in the Kasbah, was founded in 1230.
The Cathedral
lies on Place de l’Indépendence which is labeled after the name of Vincent De Paul who had come to Tunis as a slave and had helped other Christians to earn freedom. The cathedral was built in the year 1882 by a French person who had been staying at the Islamic country for longer times.
Bardo
Museum
The Bardo Museum is the most prominent building in Tunis. The museum was once the abode of Husaynid Beys, a Tunisian Governor. The interior of the palace is spectacular and has incredible collection of statues, frescos and Roman mosaics. The three-floor museum which was once 18th century palace is amuses the tourists visiting Tunis. The museum also showcases some of the objects of the royal inhabitants of Tunisia which also includes the sleeping bed. There are also statues hailing from Punic times which were discovered in Carthage, Dougga, El Jem, Sousse, Thubrubo Majus and also from Mahdia. The second floor of the museum houses two fresco rooms.
Getting There
Tunis is served by the Tunis-Carthage International Airport. The growing metropolitan area is served by an extensive network of public transportation including buses, an above-ground light rail system (le Metro), as well a regional train line (the TGM) that links the city centre to its closest northern suburbs.
Tunis Hotels and Accommodation
Tunis hotels are well furnished with modern amenities and facilities to make your stay in Tunis more enjoyable and hassle-free and suits every budget and holiday needs.
Lar Marsa Tunis Hotel
is a 5 star Regency Tunis is located on the beach front, approximately 20 kms from Tunis-Carthage international airport.It is an easier option for travelers and tourists alike. Other interesting options to choose from include Hotel Naplouse, Caribean World Venus Beasch Hotel, Yadis Ibn Khaldoun, Acropole, Tunisia Palace and El Bahy to mention a few
