Tourism in Tunisia UNESCO World Heritage SitesTourism in Tunisia UNESCO World Heritage SitesTunisia is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well 13 others in the tentative list including the island of Djerba for its cultural and religious diversity. Site: Archaeological Site of Carthage Location: Tunis Governorate Area: 36°51′10″N 10°19′24″E ha (acre): 616 (1,520) Year: 1979 Description: Founded in the 9th century BC, Carthage developed into a trading empire spanning the Mediterranean. The city was destroyed in 146 BC in the Punic Wars at the hands of the Romans, but was later reestablished. Site: Dougga / Thugga Location: Béja Governorate Area: 36°25′25″N 9°13′13″E ha (acre): 70 (170) Year: 1997 Description: The site features the ruins of Dougga, a former capital of a Libyan–Punic state, which flourished under the Romans and the Byzantines, but went into decline in the Islamic period. Site: Amphitheatre of El Jem Location: Mahdia Governorate Area: 35°17′47″N 10°42′25″E ha (acre): 1.37 (3.4) Year: 1979 Description: Built during the 3rd century, the Amphitheatre of El Jem is North Africa's largest amphitheatre, and the largest one built outside of Italy, with a capacity of 35,000 spectators, regarded as among the most accomplished examples of Roman architecture of its kind. Site: Ichkeul National Park Location: Bizerte Governorate Area: 37°09′49″N 9°40′29″E ha (acre): 12,600 (31,000) Year: 1980 Description: Ichkeul Lake and the surrounding wetlands is a destination for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds, including ducks, geese, storks and pink flamingos. It was once part of a chain that extended across North Africa. Site: Kairouan Location: Kairouan Governorate Area: 35°40′54″N 10°06′14″E ha (acre): 68 (170) Year: 1988 Description: Founded in 670, Kairouan was the former capital of Ifriqiya and flourished in the 9th century. Its heritage includes the Mosque of Uqba and the Mosque of the Three Gates. Site: Medina of Sousse Location: Sousse Governorate Area: 35°49′40″N 10°38′19″E ha (acre): 32 (79) Year: 1988 Description: A prime example of a town from the early Islamic period, Sousse was an important commercial and military port during the 9th century. Site: Medina of Tunis Location: Tunis Governorate Area: 36°49′00″N 10°10′00″E ha (acre): 296 (730) Year: 1979 Description: The Medina of Tunis contains some 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasah and fourtains, testifying to Tunis' golden age from the 12th to the 16th century. Site: Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis Location: Nabeul Governorate Area: 36°56′47″N 11°05′57″E ha (acre): — Year: 1985 Description: Abandoned in 250 BCE during the First Punic War and never rebuilt, Kerkuane is the only surviving example of a Phoenicio–Punic settlement. Tourism in Tunisia Museums This is a list of some important museums in Tunisia: Name: Bardo National Museum (Tunis) City: Tunis Type: National museum Year Established: 1888 Name: Carthage National Museum (formerly known as the Lavigerie Museum) City: Carthage Type: National museum Year Established: 1875 Name: Sousse Archaeological Museum City: Sousse Type: Archaeological museum Year Established: 1951 Name: Musée Dar Cheraït City: Tozeur Type: History museum Year Established: 1990 Name: Dar Jellouli Museum City: Sfax Type: Art museum Year Established: 1939 Name: El Djem Archaeological Museum City: El Djem Type: Archaeological museum Year Established: 1970 Name: Musée des arts et traditions populaires de Djerba City: Djerba Type: History museum Year Established: 2008 Name: Musée des arts et traditions populaires de Monastir City: Monastir Type: History museum Name: Musée des arts et traditions populaires de Tunis City: Tunis Type: Art museum Year Established: 1978 Name: Musée du patrimoine insulaire de Kerkennah City: Kerkennah Type: History museum Year Established: 2006 | |||||
| |||||
