Tunisia History and Culture

Phoenician settlers from Tyre founded Carthage, by tradition in 814 BC, and it grew into one of the great trading powers of the ancient Mediterranean. Rome later rebuilt it as the capital of the province of Africa, and the countryside filled with cities whose ruins still stand: Dougga on its hilltop, Bulla Regia with its underground villas, and El Jem, whose amphitheater is among the largest the Romans ever built.

In the 7th century the city of Kairouan was founded, and its Great Mosque became one of the most important early centers of Islamic learning. The Aghlabid, Fatimid and Hafsid dynasties built the medinas of Tunis, Sousse and Monastir, with their ribats, souks and madrasas. Andalusian families arriving from Spain brought new crafts and music.

Tunis later became the seat of the Husainid beys, who ruled for 250 years and built elegant palaces. Tunisia became independent in 1956 and is known for its early commitment to education. See the regional history timeline.

Tunisia's museums hold the finest Roman mosaics in the world, scenes of hunting, harvests, sea gods and the poet Virgil. The blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, a World Heritage Site since 2026, with its studded doors and wrought-iron window grilles, inspired painters such as Paul Klee and August Macke. Nabeul is known for pottery, Kairouan for knotted carpets, and the chechia, a red felt cap, is still made by hand in the souks of Tunis.

Malouf, the Andalusian classical music of Tunisia, is kept alive by orchestras and festivals, and the Carthage International Festival stages concerts in the Roman theater each summer. Explore the wider story of Islamic art and architecture.

Carthage was famed in antiquity for its circular harbor, whose outline can still be traced today. Scenes for a famous space-opera film series were shot in Tunisia's desert, and some sets still stand near Tozeur. Kairouan is considered one of Islam's holy cities. Plan your trip with our Tunisia luxury travel guide, stay in Sidi Bou Said or relax on Djerba.