Tunisia - the most interesting country in North Africa. Local landscapes will not leave anyone indifferent. Narrow cobbled streets lined with palm trees and eucalyptus trees on both sides, small cafes and restaurants, and a friendly population attract tens of thousands of tourists every year.
Today we will consider top 5 main attractions of Tunisia.
Carthage
According to legend, Carthage was founded by the daughter of the ruler of Tire, Elissa, who fled to these lands due to the feuds that arose in her homeland over the throne. Over time, the city has grown and turned into one of the centers of the ancient world. Convenient location, powerful fortress walls, a powerful army and navy turned Carthage into a powerful military power that challenged the greatest Roman Empire. As a result of three wars, known in history as the Punic, the city was taken by the Romans and destroyed.
Today's Carthage, with its pretty streets lined with eucalyptus and palm trees, luxurious villas and magnificent gardens, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tunisia. And only the ruins of the ancient city remind of the historical events that once raged here.
Crocodile sanctuary
Located on the island of Djerba, the crocodile nursery is considered one of the largest in the Mediterranean region. All crocodiles contained here belong to the African breed and are brought here from the island of Madagascar. Unfortunately, there are not so many crocodiles left outside the nursery in the wild nature of Africa. The reason for this is their gorgeous expensive leather, which is highly prized by fashion lovers in the West. However, in the reserve, the life of huge reptiles is safe. All conditions for their maintenance and reproduction have been created here. The reserve is a successful commercial project and fully pays for itself, as every year hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world flock here to witness these reptiles in their natural habitat. Special bridges have been erected for visitors, standing on which they can observe the daily life of the toothy giants. If desired, guests can take pictures with crocodiles, and small crocodiles can even be held in hand.
El Jem amphitheater
Located 30 kilometers from the town of Mahdia, the El Djema amphitheater is a historical monument dating back to the period of Roman rule in these parts. The building was erected by order of the Roman proconsul Marcus Aurelius Gordian, who, with the support of the local nobility, proclaimed himself emperor and declared independence from Rome. The empire reacted quickly and harshly. Gordian managed to stay as emperor for just over a month. The troops who arrived from Rome quickly suppressed the uprising and put things in order. And the construction of the amphitheater was no longer renewed.
Presumably, the amphitheater was supposed to accommodate about 40 thousand spectators. It is about 140 meters long and over 100 meters wide. Here you can clearly see the entire "infrastructure" of the bloody entertainment of Ancient Rome - seats for spectators, cages for animals, rooms for gladiators ... The El Jem amphitheater is a clear evidence of the senseless cruelty of human nature.
Kasbah fortress
The Kasbah fortress, located in the old town of Sousse, is one of the few ancient fortifications that have survived to this day in almost their original form. The structure was erected on the top of a low hill in the southwestern part of the old city. The Kasbah is about a thousand years old. The most prominent element of the fortress is the Khalifa el-Fata tower. This tower at different times performed different functions - a defensive structure, an observation post and even a lighthouse. The tower is over 30 meters high. It got its name from the name of the slave who was the overseer during its construction.
Inside the fort is the archaeological museum of the city of Sousse, which is the second largest museum in Tunisia. Here you can admire various objects of antiquity and the Middle Ages, mosaics and statues.
Sidi Boo Said
The town is located on the shores of the Gulf of Tunis, not far from the capital of the country. It is named after the Islamic saint Abu Said, who is the founder of the city. For a long time, Sidi-bu-Said performed various functions - a pirate harbor, the location of the Spanish legion, and the administrative capital of the province. At one time, it was even one of the favorite places of European bohemia. Artists, writers and actors from all over the Old World flocked here.
The sights of today's Sidi Bou Said are, first of all, stunning views of the local harbor; secondly, the appearance of the town, which is a mixture of ancient Arab and European architecture.