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Venue, Travel & Hotel > Venue
Tunisia
Tunisia, a captivating country nestled on the northernmost coast of Africa, is a vibrant destination that combines rich civilization and breathtaking tourism opportunities. Renowned as the birthplace of the Arab Spring, Tunisia has witnessed significant progress and transformation. With its diverse cultural influences, from Phoenician and Roman remnants to Arab and Berber traditions, Tunisia offers a captivating tapestry of history and heritage. From the enchanting ruins of Carthage to the bustling medinas of Tunis, the country's architectural marvels and historical sites provide a fascinating glimpse into its past. Beyond its cultural riches, Tunisia boasts stunning natural landscapes, including pristine Mediterranean beaches and the vast Sahara desert, making it a haven for adventure and relaxation. With its warm hospitality, vibrant culture, and thriving tourism industry, Tunisia welcomes travelers to discover a land where ancient heritage coexists with modern wonders, leaving an unforgettable impression on every visitor.
The island of Djerba
The island of Djerba is the 9th Tunisian site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, mosques, churches, and synagogues: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1640/
Djerba, which spans 514 km², is the largest island in North Africa. Its landscape is a combination of desert areas bordering the sea and fields cultivated with palm and olive trees. Considered the mythological island where, in Homer's Odyssey, Ulysses and his sailors encounter the Lotus Eaters, Djerba also served as a backdrop for some scenes on the planet Tatooine in the Star Wars saga.
Djerba is home to Carthaginian and Roman ruins, as well as traditional houses ("houch") organized around an inner courtyard and equipped with ingenious systems for collecting rainwater. The island, known for its religious diversity, has churches, synagogues including the Ghriba, the oldest in Africa, and fortified Ibadi mosques (a separate branch of Islam), some of which are underground.
The island of Djerba or Jerba is connected to the continent by a ferry, ensuring the crossing between Ajim and Jorf, and by the kantara, a 7-kilometre route dating back to Roman times from the south-eastern end of the island to the Zarzis peninsula.
Djerba has 120,000 inhabitants, of whom nearly 44,000 live in Houmt Souk, the largest city on the island and its administrative capital. Its inhabitants are mainly Arabic speakers even if there is a large Berber-speaking community there.
There is also a small and very old Jewish community descended from exiles in Jerusalem.
Moreover, most of the island is a rural area occupied by villages of Berber origin such as Mezraya, Ghizen, Tezdaine, Wersighen, Sedouikech, Ajim and Guellala.
The island of Djerba in pictures:
