Sidi Bou Said, the "Paradise" of Tunisia

The Sidi Bou Said (Arabic : Sidi Bū Blow) It is a tourist resort with Mediterranean colors, Northern Tunisia. It is the capital of the country, Tunis (Arabic :Tunis), about 19 km. Tunisia is a country on the Mediterranean coast of NW. Africa.

The town got its name from the Arab mystic "Sufi Valli " (in Islamic language means the "holy"), Abu Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Al-Tamimi Al-Baji or Abu Said al-Baji (1156-1231). THE Abu Said al-Baji He came to the small village 12^The or 13^The c., then called Jabal el-mean, He founded a mosque (sanctuary) and stayed here until his death (1231).

the 17^The century. Turkish Bey Hussien Ben or Dynasty Husainid built the mosque in its current position «Cafe Nattes» and later the rich Turks and the bourgeoisie Tunis here built their first cottages. The village slowly began to grow around the mosque.

The 1881, when the French arrived in Tunisia created, mainly in Tunis, their own neighborhoods forming a new way of building different from the Arabic. The 1893 by decree renamed the city from Jabal el-mean in Sidi Bou Said. The decade of 1920 artists and intellectuals, particularly the Tunisian French discovered the Sidi Bou Said and turned it into a popular destination.

The French painter and musicologist, specialist in Arab music "malouf», Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger (1872-1932) who lived here, it was he who first applied the Mediterranean color to homes. From the 28 August 1915, also by decree established the color imposed Baron Erlanger city, ie white and blue in all buildings and banned urban sprawl in the area of the Cape of Carthage.

The architecture of houses has many influences Arab and Andalusian style. The 1574 the Ottoman domination, They came to Tunisia many refugees from Andalusia N.. Spain, to escape religious persecution in their country and many Jewish refugees from Livorno, Italy. Among the refugees were and several craftsmen brought in Tunisia architecture of the place.

The city Sidi Bou Said she is known as "Little Paradise», little paradise Tunisia. The old town Sidi Bou Said growing on a hill and belongs to UNESCO World Heritage of UNESCO.

TYPICAL HOUSE DOORS

WHAT TO SEE IN SIDI BOU SAID

Mosque and Grave (Zaouia) of Sidi build Said or The Mosquise Of Sidi build Said (12^th c.), hill Tower, where is the Lighthouse (Rue Sidi Boufares)
Palace - Museum Ennejma Ezzahra or Baron d'Erlanger Palace, home of Baron, Rodolphe d’Erlanger you named Ennejma Ezzahra .

Built by the 1909 until the 1921 and now houses the Arab and Mediterranean Music Center – emam. Besides Study Center of Arab and Mediterranean Music building has a rich collection of musical instruments (Street of 2 Mars 1934, www.cmam.nat.tn).

MLTDwabbler ENNEJMA EZZAHRA

Place Sidi Bou Said, the central square full of souvenir shops, brown, restaurants etc..

Park of Sidi Bou Said, Recreational Park
Lighthouse, in place, an ancient fort 9^th century. (Arabic : Fort = ribat), in Menara hill
Home – Museum But the Prophet, home Turkish Mufti, Mohamed Prophet. It is a private museum with impressive Andalusian patio where concerts with traditional music "Malouf"Wedding and events"Sdak». You will see furniture, paintings, personal items, clothes etc.. (36 Rue Habib Thameur)

MUSEUM BUT THE pROPHET

The Galerie city, like Galerie Hedi Turkey, (Rue Hedi Zarrouk), the Municipal Gallery Of Art etc..

In the Sidi build Said takes place Festival of the Arts of the Misthisisrannise – FAM, at the end of March with the participation of many artists

FOOD AND THE DIAKEDASI SIDI BUILT SAID

The traditional dishes of Tunisia is the salad "mechouia» (tomato, peppers, onions, garlic, grilled vegetables eg. eggplants, olive oil, basil), chicken or beef "nwasser» (meat with potatoes, chickpeas, pumpkins, carrots), grilled meats "Mosli», boiled meat with cumin, «kammounia», the "mloukhia» (meat from lamb or beef cooked with minced leaves of a local plant mloukhia), the "Scshuk» (vegetable soup), the cous cous etc..

For dessert served syrupy sweet, donuts, cream "zrigua» (with hazelnuts, almonds or peanuts), cream "assidat zgougou» (washed pine beans and top with hazelnut cream, almonds or peanuts).

the Cafe ofs Delices and Cafe Chebabi from 1960, They have the best view of the bay of Tunis. Drink coffee arabic blend and quench your thirst with fresh peach juice.

The Cafe of the NAttes on the stairs serving coffee and drink.

The restaurant Dar Ζarrouk, with stunning bay views, features and space for coffee or tea using hookah (chichas).

The marina of boats will find restaurants Restaurant Au Bon Vieux Temps (Rue Hedi Zarrouk) and Restaurant Le Pirate.

MARKETS

The square and the narrow streets you will find carpets, souvenirs and charms like blue eyes and beads, beads, Bakir, ceramics, wicker cages and beautiful olive wood and wire, painted in blue and white.

Tunisia is known for "Rose of Sahara», a flower made of calcium sulfate, formed by the dissolution of sand and then the crystallization of. The "Desert Rose" released in many dimensions, painted or not.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Sidi Bou Said, 5*, It is 1 km from the city, towards La Marsa, tel. : (+216) 71 740711
La Villa Bleue, 5*, (68 Rue Kennedy Sidi Bou Said), tel. : 71 742000, www.lavillableuesidibousaid.com
Hotel Dar Said, 4*, (rue Toumi), tel. : 71 729666, darsaid.com.tn
Hotel But Fatma, 3*, perched on cliff, overlooking the bay of Tunis, tel. : 71 98128, www.darfatma.com
Hotel Bou Fares,3*, 15 Rue Sidi Bou Fares, tel. : 71 740091, hotelboufares.com

ACCESS

The Sidi Bou Said due to the short distance from Tunis suitable for a day trip. You can go from Tunis with the suburban railway Tunis-Goulette-Marsa (TGM), from the station Tunis Marine, connecting the capital with the NE. coast and rich sea resorts, Carthage (Carthage), La Goulette and La Marsa.

From the train starting Tunis Marine TGM, after 14 stops you arrive at Sidi Bou Said (trip duration 35 minutes). Attitudes are : Baccalaureat, Old Goulette, Goulette Newfoundland, Goulette Casino, Khereddine, L 'Airport, Le Kram, Carthage Salammbo, Carthage Byrca, Carthage Dermech, Carthage Hannibal, Carthage Presidence, Carthage Amilcar and Sidi build Said. Specifically, the train passes next to Lake Tunis, on the causeway, parallel to the main coastal highway, Ave Habib Bourgouiba.

The Station TGM in the Sidi Bou Said located near Place of 7 November and you have to walk about 20 minutes until you reach the hill where the old town is developed.

The Tunis–Carthage International Airport (tel. : +216 71 754000) It is 12 km from Sidi build Said and Enfidha–Hammamet International Airport, (tel. : +216 73 103000) It is 89 km.

From Athens (International Airport El. Venizelos) to Tunisia (Tunis–Carthage International Airport) Alitalia is flying with a stop at the Rome airport Fumicino (duration 5 hours 20 minutes). Also other airlines serving Athens is Lufthansa and Egyptair.