The name Tunis derives from Latin – “tunny-fish” and proves the economic importance of fish-trade in antique Tunisia. But even today tunny is the main ingredient for many local dishes. Tunis is one of the oldest cities of the Mediterranean coast, though it was always kept in the shadow of the powerful Carthago, the capital of the Carthaginian empire. Only after Carthago was captured and ruined (this happened in the end of the 7th century), Tunis became a city of importance. Then for a short period in the 9th century, Tunis became the residence of the kings. It was then that Medina and a mosque appeared here. They are still the heart of Tunis. In 1159, during the reign of the Hafsid dynasty, Tunis became the capital and the main trading point from where goods were delivered to Europe. In 1534 Tunis was captured by the Turks, but a year later it was occupied by Charles V. For a short time it was under the Spanish protectorate, but in 1574 it was finally retaken by the Ottomans. After 1591, when Turkish governors got comparatively independent, the city gained the reputation of a trading centre, where lots of pirates lived. In 1881 the French established here a protectorate system of administration and made numerous changes in town-planning. A new European-style town appeared between the old town and the city, whereas the harbour of Tunis was connected with the ship channel.
The centre of Tunis, its historic part – Medina and the new city (founded during the colonial period) lie between the bay and the lake. Inner suburbs surround the centre of the city: those are country houses and Bardo museum in the west; Belvedere district, younger settlements El Menzah and Ariana in the north; and Megrin and Ben Arous industrial districts in the south. As for the city’s look, its old eastern part and European-style new city stand in contrast to each other. There is a mosque in the centre of Tunis. The building is surrounded with a market – its traditional part is tourist-oriented, but the outlying districts are mainly visited by local people. Victoria Palace and former city gates separate the old district – Medina, from the new one. Streets of the new city are located as on a chess-board, with European-style buildings standing on them. The main “axis” of this part of Tunis is a wonderful street more than 1,5 km long - Ave. Habib Bourguiba full of different shops, cafes and hotels.
Bardo, the former country-house district, lies approximately 4 km west from the city centre. One will find a beautiful palace here, which is now the residence for the Parliament of Tunis. The Bardo museum offers a wonderful collection of Roman mosaics.
But the city’s main landmark is the Carthage archaeology museum. Carthage could be called one of the world wonders. It is located on the Mediterranean coast approximately 10 km east of modern Tunis. In the antiquity the city was the capital of the Carthage Empire, later it belonged to the Romans. Now its visitors will find ruins that prove the empire’s former power. Tourists can observe ruins of the 162 therms – the largest therms outside Roma, the amphitheatre for 50.000. Nowadays its just the part of Tunisia with the President’s palace found on its territory. There is Saint Louis Cathedral standing on a hill which was considered to be the place where King Louis IX died in 1270, during the seventh crusade. Prior to 1965 this was the largest church in North Africa, the residence for the Carthage archbishop. Still it’s the culture centre of Tunisia.
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