Tunisia - An interesting country in North Africa. Local landscapes will not leave anyone indifferent. Narrow cobbled streets planted on both sides with palm trees and eucalyptus trees, small cafes and restaurants, and the friendly population annually attract tens of thousands of tourists.
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 parts due to the strife over her throne that arose in her homeland. 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 defied 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 trees 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 recall 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 African wildlife. The reason for this is their magnificent expensive skin, which is very much appreciated by fashion lovers in the West. However, in the reserve the life of huge reptiles is safe. All conditions for their maintenance and reproduction are created here. The reserve is a successful commercial project and fully pays for itself, since annually hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world flock here to personally witness these reptiles in their natural habitat. Special bridges have been erected for visitors, standing on which they can watch the daily life of toothy giants. If desired, guests can take pictures with crocodiles, and you can even hold small crocodiles in your hand.
Al Jem Amphitheater
Located 30 kilometers from the town of Mahdia, the El Jem Amphitheater is a historical monument dating back to the period of dominion in these parts of the Roman Empire. The construction 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 was able to stay the emperor only a little more than a month. Arriving from Rome, the troops quickly crushed the rebellion and put things in order. And the construction of the amphitheater no longer resumed.
Presumably, the amphitheater was supposed to accommodate about 40 thousand spectators. Its length is approximately 140 meters and a width of more than 100 meters. Here you can clearly see the whole "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
Kasbah Fortress, located in the ancient town of Sousse, is one of the few ancient fortifications that has survived to this day in its almost original form. The construction was erected on top of a low hill in the southwestern part of the old city. Kasbah is about a thousand years old. The most notable element of the fortress is the tower of Khalifa el-Fata. This tower at different times performed different functions - a defensive structure, an observation post, and even a lighthouse. The height of the tower is more than 30 meters. It got its name from the name of the slave, who was the overseer during its construction.
Inside the fortress are the archaeological museum 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 Bou Said
The town is located on the shores of the Gulf of Tunis, not far from the capital. It is named after the Islamic saint Abu Saeed, who is the founder of the city. For a long time, Sidi Bou Said performed various functions - a pirate harbor, a place of deployment of the Spanish Legion, the administrative capital of the province. At one time, he 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 Arabic architecture with European.
