Tunisia
is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, the
northernmost African country and the smallest of the nations situated
along the Atlas mountain range. Around forty percent of the country is
composed of the Sahara desert.
Over time, most the world’s greatest powers have inhabited
Tunisia providing a rich cultural and social heritage that is unique to
this land. Originally Berber, it has been invaded and colonised by the
Phoenicians, the Romans, the Vandals, the Arabs and the French. Their
distinct influences have left many archaeological sites and artefacts.
There are a lot of different places where one can take good pictures,
you have to spend several days exploring the country and discussing
with the welcoming inhabitants. Here are some of the places we like but
there are
still plenty to discover.
Chebika:
on the site of a
Roman military post called Ad Speculum, this small village of stone and
mud-brick houses is situated on the slopes of a hill above the
palm-grove. The old village, now abandoned, was built into the hillside
behind it. The springs which supply the oasis with water are in a
picturesque deep gorge 500m beyond the village.
Chenini: it is situated in the area of Médenine, 18km west
of
Tataouine. A whitewashed mosque stands out prominently against the
earth-colored and partly ruined ghorfas clinging to the slopes of the
hill. Near the cemetery, between two hills, is the rock-cut Mosque of
the Seven Giants, with seven long tombs.
Chott el Djerid: Tunisia is divided into two almost equal parts by a
series of salt lakes (chotts), the largest of which is the Chott el
Djerid. The salt creates strange patterns and colors.
Douirat: 13km southwest of Tataouin. On top of the hill is a ksar, and
lower down are abandoned cave dwellings, the former inhabitants of
which now live in new houses at the foot of the hill.
El Djem: this
third largest colosseum in the Roman world
represents the glory of the Roman Empire, dominating the local town and
nearby countryside. Its construction was an amazing feat because there
was no stone to build it in the immediate vicinity (the nearest
quarries were than 30 kilometres away!) During the third century
gladiators fought their bitter contests in this magnificent
amphitheatre.
