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The City
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Tunis reveals its layered history through two distinct faces: the ancient Medina, founded in the 8th century, and the 19th-century Ville Nouvelle, a legacy of French colonial rule. These contrasting districts showcase the city’s dual identity, where Arab-Islamic heritage meets European urban planning.
The Medina, a UNESCO-listed labyrinth of vaulted passageways and sun-dappled souks, forms the historic heart of Tunis. Here, over 700 centuries-old monuments share walls with vibrant market stalls. Ez-Zitouna mosque's geometric arches, the ornate Dar Ben Abdallah palace and the medieval madrasas all speak to the city’s Islamic golden age. Unlike the ordered grid of the newer quarters, the Medina’s organic layout invites slow exploration, with hidden courtyards and artisan workshops tucked behind unassuming doorways.
In stark contrast, the Ville Nouvelle mirrors the broad boulevards of Paris, its architecture blending Haussmann-style facades with Art Nouveau flourishes. Avenue Habib Bourguiba serves as its spine, where locals sip coffee at pavement cafés beneath the arched windows of the Municipal Theatre. Unlike the Medina’s kinetic energy, this district moves to a more measured rhythm — one of newspaper kiosks, formal gardens, and the occasional chime of a tram bell.
Together, these twin nuclei offer a study in harmonious contrast, where the call to prayer echoes past patisserie windows, and the scent of orange blossom mingles with freshly baked baguettes.
The Medina, a UNESCO-listed labyrinth of vaulted passageways and sun-dappled souks, forms the historic heart of Tunis. Here, over 700 centuries-old monuments share walls with vibrant market stalls. Ez-Zitouna mosque's geometric arches, the ornate Dar Ben Abdallah palace and the medieval madrasas all speak to the city’s Islamic golden age. Unlike the ordered grid of the newer quarters, the Medina’s organic layout invites slow exploration, with hidden courtyards and artisan workshops tucked behind unassuming doorways.
In stark contrast, the Ville Nouvelle mirrors the broad boulevards of Paris, its architecture blending Haussmann-style facades with Art Nouveau flourishes. Avenue Habib Bourguiba serves as its spine, where locals sip coffee at pavement cafés beneath the arched windows of the Municipal Theatre. Unlike the Medina’s kinetic energy, this district moves to a more measured rhythm — one of newspaper kiosks, formal gardens, and the occasional chime of a tram bell.
Together, these twin nuclei offer a study in harmonious contrast, where the call to prayer echoes past patisserie windows, and the scent of orange blossom mingles with freshly baked baguettes.