Tunisia

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. Tunisa is a North African city with a long history. After the Hasfides and Osmans, the Spanish Moors came but gave way to French colonial rule which then gave way to present day independence. In the old town, there are more than 700 historic monuments which include 200 palaces, a colorful variety of buildings and numerous mosques. Among shoreline lava rock is the entrance to the Ghar El-Kebir, a collection of sandstone grottos. During Roman times, thousands of slaves were forced to bring building material for Carthage and El Djem from subterranean shafts. In Sousse, the simple fort of Ribat is probably the oldest Islamic building in North Africa, in which Muslim soldiers lived in monastic isolation, and in the town's Archaeological Museum there is a fantastic range of mosaics, predominantly from Punic and Roman excavations. Gabes is an oasis town which overflows with luxuriant floral splendor. By horse and carriage, visitors can travel through one of the most beautiful maritime oases in Tunisia where approximately 500,000 date palms, tobacco, henna, pumpkins, apricots and bananas thrive. The focal point of important caravan routes and a trading centre for goods from Libya and Black Africa, Medenine is a very charming and lively city. Its reinforced honeycomb-shaped caves are the extraordinary-looking buildings many will recall from the film `Star Wars.' The Sahara is the largest desert on earth, with different landscapes such as rock deserts, salt deserts and serene oases. Kebili is located on the edge of a huge salt lake and is a typical desert village with a green oasis and Artesian springs which provide water for its fruit and vegetable gardens.Nefta is also a green paradise in the desert an oasis town that boasts no less than 152 Artesian wells. Dougga contains Tunisia's most important ruins which nestle in the hills among shimmering olive trees and poppy fields. Endless deserts and fertile oases, busy towns and isolated mountain regions, Roman temples and Muslim mosques, Tunisia is tempting!

DVD. Cities of the World. 60 Minutes. Tunisisa was established by the Phoenicians, but during its eventful history it belonged to the Roman Empire, was under Spanish, Turkish and Arab influences, and was later under the French rule. Its architecture, art and culture all reflect this diversity. The ruins of the ancient metropolis of Carthage, the sand beaches of Hammamet, the old town of Tunis, the bazaars of Sousse, the mystical salt lake, the treasures of the Bardo Museum, the cave houses of Matmata, the palm trees of Tozeur, the bay and fish market of Kelibia, the Roman amphitheatre of El Djem, the blue and white houses of Sidi bou Said, the minarets, the oases of Chebika, the monumental buildings of the Ribats, the camels and the modern luxury hotels all are parts of the colorful mosaic, which is called Tunisia.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Today, Carthage is still the centre of Tunisian political power and the past has made its own remarkable and indelible impression. According to legend, the city of Karth Hadasht was founded by Phoenician settlers in the year 814 B.C. The Romans named it, `Carthage'. The city soon began to control the Numidic hinterland and established colonies in the entire western area of the Mediterranean. Relatively little remains of the original Phoenician and Punic buildings. So far, archaeologists have only managed to recover Roman treasures. A former monastery, Carthage Museum was built on historic land that also contains numerous fascinating relics from both the Punic and Roman epochs. Close to the museum there is an array of water cisterns, an impressive example of Roman engineering. In earlier times, the water cisterns were mainly supplied by the Zaghouans Aquaduct that was built by the Romans at the beginning of the second century A.D. The impressive Carthage Amphitheatre dates back to the time of Emperor Augustinus. It was a popular setting for cruel and bloody entertainment. Following Roman tradition, the amphitheatre's arena was the most important place for public entertainment. Even today one can sense what it must have been like for the gladiators as they ran into the arena to battle for their life. Built between 138 and 161 A.D., Carthage's impressive therms are some of the most beautiful and splendid bathing spas of the entire Roman empire. The spa area originally extended 300m along the coast and was over 100m wide. A well thought out underground canal system was supplied by a network of cisterns that supplied water from the nearby hills down to the baths. In spite of past wars and destruction by the Romans, Carthage has retained its unique and majestic beauty to the present day.

DVD. Nature Wonders. 10 Minutes. Seemingly endless dense forests extend across the hills of the Djebel Boukornine National Park. They are the green lungs of the Tunisian metropolis of Tunis that is located a few kilometres away. From the forest covered hills of the nature reserve, the view stretches to the outlying areas of the pulsating capital and to the Mediterranean. The region's mostly humid and warm Mediterranean climate promotes the prolific growth of vegetation as well as numerous wild flowers. The dense undergrowth of the forests that cover the hills offers protection to a large number of indigenous animals such as wild boar and mufflon. The area close to the summit of Djebel Boukornine is one of much historical significance. At a height of around 576 metres are the remains of an old Saturn temple that was dedicated to the 'Two Horn God' who protected the former city of Carthage. The Tunisian Dorsal Pass and the bordering northeastern ridge of the mighty Atlas Mountains can be seen from the hills of the national park. Tunisia contains a diverse variety of scenery in a relatively small area and both socially and culturally, it is still strongly influenced by age old customs and traditions.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Dougga, Tunisia DOUGGA is situated in the south west of Tunisia's legendary, Carthage, and is the world's best-preserved Roman city. The life and luxury of the advanced Roman civilisation made its mark and with spas, temples and forum, demonstrated the achievements of this wealthy Roman settlement. Cobbled streets link each part of the city and graceful Greek pillars and tall portals of Etruscan origin decorate expansive spa districts. Over a mosaic square, the temple of the holy Trias, dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Monumental steps and decorated pillars seem to point toward a Heavenly existence on Earth.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Tunisia Even from a distance, a monumental amphitheatre dominates the Tunisian city of El Djem, the ancient Punic settlement of Thysdrus in the heart of the later Byzantine Empire. Apart from those in Rome and Verona, this huge stone amphitheatre is the largest of its kind and a masterpiece of ancient building technique. Due to the region's climate, the impressive construction has retained its original colour and the gigantic oval structure could accommodate 30 to 40,000 spectators. Thysdrus was one of the largest cities in ancient Africa and during the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. was also one of the most prosperous in the Roman Empire. The cultivation of olives and the production of olive oil for Rome were the reasons for the city's prosperity that continued to flourish for many centuries. Although the amphitheatre has been used extensively as a stone quarry, it is better preserved than the Coliseum of Rome and in near-perfect condition. The wealth of the city has long since gone but its colossal heritage has been preserved forever?the fascinating amphitheatre of...El Djem !

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Kairouan is the only great Tunisian city whose history is more recent than antiquity. In 671 A.D. a camp known as a `Kairouan' settled on what is the city's urban area of today and despite the heat and scarcity of water this location had great strategic value. The massive minaret of the Great Mosque is 35 metres high and is the most important Islamic building in Tunis. For many years it has been the structural model for subsequent generations of Maurice architects. The ancient columns and elegant decoration of the mosque's interior highlight its importance in the Islamic world. Two further buildings that are important to Islam are situated on the North Western outskirts of Kairouan: the Barbier Mosque and the Sidi Sahab Mausoleum which date back to the 17th century. They are located above the grave of a companion of the Prophet Mohammed. In addition to Mecca, Medina And Jerusalem, Kairouan is one of the four most important cities in Islam and since it was first established during the 7th century, the city's life has been continuously determined by religious faith.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Archaeologists attach great importance to the ancient ruined city of Kerkouane. It is the only Punic city that has retained its original form and has not been altered or rebuilt by subsequent cultures. To the present, archaeologists have uncovered a long, horseshoe-shaped area of approximately 500m revealing an outline of alleys and streets. Unlike Roman design, each house had its own private sanitation system, which was connected to an extensive canalisation network. The majority of the floors were decorated with mosaics and most of the dwellings also had their own small well. The buildings were constructed in various ways using many different techniques and baked bricks, as well as clay, were among the main building materials. Some of the ruins contain floor mosaics that are still in very good condition and the tiny marble stones of the mosaics were sometimes used in special designs such as the so-called `Tanit Symbol' that is a recurrent motif in the entrances to the dwellings and gravesites outside the town.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Nefta Four hundred kilometres southwest of the Tunisian capital of Tunis and close to the Algerian border in Bled El Jerid is the delightful oasis town of Nefta. Beyond its bright cupolas and angled roofs is the breathtaking expanse of the enormous Schott Dscherid Salt Plain. What formerly served as the rear guard of the Roman Empire and that was subsequently used as a bishop's residence developed into the most important religious centre of an ancient Muslim sect known as the Sufis. In addition to Nefta's twenty-four mosques there are also more than a hundred sacred burial places known as `Marabouts'. The life-giving reason that led to the origin of Nefta in the midst of this barren, desert like landscape can be found close to the historic centre of the town: precious water bubbles out of a total of a hundred and fifty two Artesian Wells that has brought new life to more than nine hundred and fifty hectares of lifeless desert. The desert wind, the Scirocco, is a reminder of the harshness of the surrounding landscape. Even with the protection of the oasis, on some days the wind manages to blow its way through the town. But as the sun gradually sets below the horizon, Nefta is like a scene from the One Thousand And One Nights.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Little is known of the exact history of the ancient ruins of Sbeitla and few documents exist of the seminal years of this old Roman city. However, some of the buildings and ruins are exceptionally well preserved such as the Antonius Pius Arch, a main entrance gate to a large forum. The temples are a curiosity and run contrary to the normal architectural style of Roman temples, which customarily unite the gods Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, as these temples are located in three separate buildings. Sbeitla can be thought of as a classic example of efficient Roman construction and street planning that made little reference to the conventional design characteristics of the period. Excavations that were undertaken between 1907 and 1922 uncovered an area of ruins of approximately 600,000 square metres. At least seven religious sites date back to the Christian period of the fifth and sixth centuries. It is thought that the three basilicas that lie beyond the temples were built on the foundations of former Roman temples. Even today the excavation of this extensive area has not been completed as it is believed that two thirds of this ancient city has still to be discovered.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. A mighty wall surrounds the Medina, the old part of the Tunisian city of Sousse, whose fortifications date back to the 9th century. They were built by the Aghlabides who were strongly influenced by Islam. There is a remarkable gate at the northern edge of the Medina. It is the entrance to the Ribat, an impressive fortress that was built by the Aghlabides in the 10th century. This military building was very similar to a monastery in which Islamic interests dominated the actions of the Ribat's ?Warrior Monks." The history of Sousse has been influenced by many different countries and cultures. Carthagian, Roman and even Byzantine influences can be found in the city. Its convenient location, coastline and fertile countryside created a prosperous trading and commercial centre, making Sousse the main metropolis of the Sahel. Stretching out onto the highest point of the Medina is the impressive fortress, the Kasbah, that was built on the foundations of a Byzantine castle and today contains an important museum. Thanks to its special location, Sousse has always fascinated visitors with its rich variety of atmospheric, historical impressions. Thankfully, and despite its warlike past, the Medina of Sousse has been able to preserve most of its original character.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Once travelled by caravan trains, the seemingly infinite horizons of the region's salt lakes have remained unchanged. But on the edge of this lifeless world is the flourishing city of Tozeur. This small charming city in the south west of Tunisia is surrounded by a beautiful and fertile oasis landscape, the Oasis of Djerid: the oasis of the palm branch. The Bled El Djerid Oasis features approximately 200,000 palms and the dates that grow in this region, the Deglet Ennour, are considered to be among Tunisia's finest. The provincial capital of Tozeur is famous for its unique architecture and the buildings in the old part of the city, the Ouled Halef, are particularly fascinating. Hidden in one of the sunlit inner courtyards of the old area of the city is a small though extremely informative history and folklore museum that contains a large variety of Tozeur's traditional and historical objects that stem from its dwellings, crafts and trade, some of which date back to Roman times. The historic townscape of Tozeur is still influenced by the unique architecture of the 14th and 15th centuries and even today its charming alleys and idyllic courtyards are an influential centre of both Arabic and Islamic culture. Travellers from all over the world can experience a large variety of unique and exotic architecture and all of the special ambience of this intriguing city. In the cool shade of Tozeur's clay buildings, time is but a mirage!

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and this `Paris' of North Africa is a metropolis with a long history. In the centre of the medina the domed roof of the souk encircles the Olive Tree Mosque the spiritual centre of the old town. The central market district dates back to the Hafsidic and Early Christian period. Here there's something for everyone, many of the goods being skilfully crafted under the watchful eye of prospective purchasers and while strolling through the markets it's like being part of an Arabian fairy-tale with all the magic of the One Thousand And One Nights. The tall, octagonal minaret of the Sidi Youssef Mosque is an example of Tunisia's earliest Syric building design and opposite is the Dar El Bey, former palace of the Turkish monarchs. Dar Ben Abdallah is a splendid palace that dates back to the 18th century and since 1975 has incorporated a folklore museum that is well worth a visit. A large cool courtyard is dominated by a central marble fountain and surrounded by both residential and official rooms. The lavish lifestyle of the 19th century is on full display in numerous rooms with precious furniture and crystal chandeliers as well as beautifully attired life-size dolls. Today Bardo is an elegant suburb of villas but in the 19th century the Turkish Beys built their palace district within it and the former harem today contains the majestic Bardo Museum. Tunis has all the wonderful atmosphere of this region's historic and colourful past.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and the political, commercial and cultural centre of the country: the Paris of North Africa and a metropolis with a long history. The centre of the city is the Medina, the Arabic old town. Surrounded by the market streets of the souks towers the large mosque of El Zitouna. Apart from the Sidi Oqba of Kairouan, this noble building is the most important religious sanctuary in Tunisia. The central market quarter dates back to the Hafsidic and Early Christian period and the leisurely ambience of the Moorish coffee houses still exists today. The tall, octagonal minaret of the Sidi Youssef Mosque is the earliest Syric building style in Tunisia. Next to the mosque are the securely guarded government buildings that incorporate the architectural styles of the old town. In the labyrinth of souks there is a tiny square with red-green pillars, the former slave market in which human captives were sold for profit. The 18th century mausoleum of Tourbet El Bey contains the tombs of the Husseiniden Dynasty, its stucco walls and marble pillars highlight the influence of Italian Renaissance. Even today the Medina of Tunis enchants all those who experience it and it is one of the oldest and most constantly populated areas of the Mediterranean that is as evocative as an oriental fairytale.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Gabes is the beginning of a journey through what is the fascinating oasis of Tunisia that contains all the mystique of the Orient: art, culture, history and endless desert horizons. The Ghorfas of Medenine boast a variety of souvenir shops and in the past the multi-floored mud buildings served as dwellings and storage areas for the semi-nomads of the region. A Ghorfa is a collection of buildings that form part of large complexes with hundreds of buildings grouped together around large courtyards. Surrounded by desert is the sleepy village of Douz that was once a thriving camel trading centre. Now it contains markets and is also the location of the famous Sahara Festival. The Torra Ruins in Mansurah are a further highlight of the journey across the Tunisian oasis. The sun beats down relentlessly on the boundless Sahara and individual palm trees appear as green guardians of the oasis. Tozeur, the `Eden Of The Desert', is a safe haven for almost twenty villages. Its unique architecture is highly impressive and the walls of its houses consist of loam bricks that form geometrical patterns. Nefta's new town with its nearby souk quarter is situated in the east. On the western side is the older district with its sacred buildings and twisting alleys. For more than a thousand years the town has been the religious centre of a mystic Moslem sect known as the Sufis. As the shadows of evening begin to fall and the light of the setting sun illuminates the Tunisian oasis in a spectacular purple light this everything combines to make this a most memorable and atmospheric experience.