Tunisia – A Short Cultural Guide For Tourists
Tunisia, a land of ancient history and modern hotels, restaurants and international airports offers a perfect destination for a weary holiday traveler. You will be entranced by its history, friendliness, fabulous restaurants and hotels.
Tunisia is blessed with a wonderful climate and a scenic coastline. It is bordered by the Mediterranean on the north and east and Libya, to the southeast and Algeria to the west. Many civilizations and empires have passed through Tunisia, leaving their footprint along the way. Tunisia has been home to the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turks, Spanish and French. Today’s Tunisians live in a culture that reflects the passage of all of these people through their country.
Tunisian history is displayed in Tunisia’s many museums and historic sites. Visit the huge National Museum of Bardo, near Tunis, to see an example of 17th and 18th century Arab architecture and decoration. It was a 13th century palace and has been expanded over time. You will see vaulted ceilings, galleries and cupolas. The jewel of this particular museum is its collection of mosaics. It’s the finest such collection in the world. The Carthage Museum is famed for its excellent collection of Roman and Punic artifacts, including items that would have been used in everyday life. The extensive display of jewelry must not be missed. There is also an extremely distinctive display of Punic masks made of colored glass paste.
Visit the Dar Ben Abdallah Museum of Traditional Arts and Customs, in Tunis, to see exhibits of traditional Tunisian arts and learn about the customs of the city of Tunis. It is housed on the bottom floor of the 18th century Dar Ben Abdallah Palace in the medina, or the heart of old Tunis. Most museums in Tunisia are not open on Mondays. Tunisia is a land of festivals. Every city and village, no matter how large or small, hosts festivals to which visitors are welcome. The Saharian Festival celebrates the vast expanses of the Sahara. It is in Douz and occurs during the second week of November. The International Music Festival at the El Jem Coliseum offers the music of world renowned orchestras and artists. It is an evening festival set in a Roman coliseum. It takes place from mid-July to mid-August.
The most important component of Tunisian family cuisine is its breads! Country breads, found in smaller villages, are usually unleavened and baked in domed, clay ovens called tabounas. Bread is a staple at every Tunisian meal and everyplace in Tunisia has its own special breads. The meat eaten most often in Tunisian homes is lamb. Seafood is abundant, due to Tunisia’s long Mediterranean coastline and Tunisia’s olive oil and produce is delicious. Tunisians use all sorts of herbs and spices for cooking, including cumin, coriander, parsley, dried peppers, and garlic. They prefer their food hot and spicy, but in deference to tourists’ tastes, usually serve their favorite spicy condiment, harissa, as a side dish.
Tunisia is a world-class destination for your world-class holiday!
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Best Kefta, Kofta Watch How To Make Kefta with my Succulent Sliders
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Harissa Condiment in Tube – Spicy 120 Gr 3 Oz $3.99 Harissa is a North African hot red sauce or paste whose main ingredients are chili peppers (often smoked or dried) and garlic. Though most closely associated with Tunisia and Algeria, it is a standard ingredient of North African cuisine. Harissa often contains seeds like coriander, caraway, or cumin, and usually olive oil. It may also contain tomatoes. It is used both as a condiment and as an ingr… |
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Dea Harissa Hot Sauce in tube $3.50 Originally from Tunisia, this hot sauce made with vegetables and chiles seasoned with coriander, caraway, and garlic, is now produced in France, to meet the demand first among the French repatriated from Algeria and later among the many immigrants from northern Africa who have settled there. Unlike other hot sauces, harissa, due to the particular balance of flavors, must be mixed with a moist dish… |
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Harisa du Cap Bon $1.50 Harissa is the way North African cuisine packs heat. This pepper based sauce will raise the scoville units of your dish to the point where you will break a sweat while eating…. |
