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Written by Gillian
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Visitors to Tunisia will be well aware that the country has an ancient and rich history, with buildings and mosques dating back to the 13th century and beyond. The Bardo Museum is situated on Rue Monju Slim, about 3 miles outside the centre of the capital, Tunis.
 The wonderful building in which the museum is situated is worth the visit alone. The complex of Arab-Moslem buildings dates back from the 13th to the 19th centuries. One of the buildings is the Beylical Palace and it hosts one of the largest collections of ancient mosaics.
The oldest mosaic in the world was actually uncovered at Carthage, in the north east of Tunisia, close to the blue and white town of Sidi Bou Said. This ancient mosaic dates back to the 4th or 5th century BC and indicates that mosaics were being created by the Carthaginians long before the Romans got involved. The wonderful mosaics in the Bardo Museum are colorful and vivid, portraying all sorts of patterns and landscapes, like shiny colorful tapestries. Literally hundreds of mosaics have been collected and amassed here, covering the walls and floors of the Palace. They capture an accurate picture of life long ago, depicting rural life, hunting scenes, agriculture and urban life in the elaborate designs. There is even a portrait of the poet Virgil, shown writing the Eneide.
When you have finally had your fill of mosaics, enjoy the museum’s other treasures. There is a wonderful collection of statues and urns, illuminated manuscripts, amphora and jewelry which all show the artistic skills which were practiced so long ago. The museum is a great place for all the family to enjoy. It includes a small museum shop and a refreshment stand and is open every day except Mondays. |
