The most amazing museum of mosaics in the world can be found in Tunis, in the former Bey palace, the Bardo, comprehensively renovated and extended in 2012. This museum houses a unique collection of Roman antiques. Take the time to marvel at the countless masterpieces of Tunisia’s mosaic artists, who were the most renowned in the Roman world.
Still in Tunis, visit the Sidi Qacem Jellizi ceramics museum, dedicated to a 15th century master ceramicist, and the Museum of Popular Art and Traditions, housed in the Palace of Dar Ben Abdallah. In Carthage, the archaeological museum boasts some really exceptional exhibits, including a sculpted sarcophagus and a small statue of the god, Baal. Depending on your particular area of interest, you can choose between Carthage’s Oceanographic Museum and the museum of musical instruments in Ennejma Ezzahra, in Sidi Bou Said.
In the North West of the country, the modern Chemtou Museum offers lots of information about Numidia, an ancient indigenous civilisation that flourished alongside Carthage (and is actually home to the remains of a temple dedicated to the Numidian King, Massinissa). The Museum of Popular Art and Traditions in Kef is housed in a stunning 18th century religious building. It is a mine of information about the equestrian tradition, clothing and jewellery from the North West and life in Bedouin tents.
In Kairouan, the Raqqada Museum presents some incredibly valuable medieval pieces, including lustre-glazed ceramics and manuscripts such as the famous Blue Qur’an.
Sousse boasts a first-rate archaeological museum with some exceptional Roman mosaics. Also worth visiting are the reconstruction of a Roman villa in El Djem and the museums of Popular Art and Traditions in Sousse, Monastir and Mahdia.
In Sfax, the former Kasbah is now a museum dedicated to historic architecture; the Dar Jallouli Palace is an understated, majestic 17th century house, where you’ll find beautiful objects that once graced the homes of well-to-do families. In Djerba, the Traditional Heritage Museum is dedicated to different aspects of life on the island (clothes, pottery, agriculture, fishing), while the Guellala Museum focuses on scenes from traditional life.
Universal heritage
Museums
Contemporary culture
Unmissable sites
