The Big Dipper hung brightly over the hotel as we left Tozeur early for our last two days in Tunisia's new country. First stop was in the religious city, Kairouan, the main Islamic city, known for the largest mosque with capacity of 3000. Roman pillars and capitals taken from sites across the country such as Dougga and Sbeitla were used in the construction.
Popularly known as the site for award winning films, Tozeur's most important reputation is the lush beauty of the oasis in which thrive a forest of date palms, pomegranate, banana and vegetables. The vegetation is watered by cool springs deep inside the oasis.
Traveling past rows of olive trees and shepherds with their sheep we headed to Tunis and the Bardo Museum. The Bardo is a jewel of museums with its priceless collection of mosaics. Housed in the Bey's 19th century elegant palace which has a banquet hall with a ceiling of 16 inlaid, decorated wooden panels. But it was the mosaics of family life along with the classic mythological scenes from the Aeneid, Venus in a Boat, Neptune and Aphrodite and more which held our attention.
The most famous is Ulysses and the Sirens, found in Dougga, 4th century AD, shows Ulysses with hands tied to the mainsail in an effort to resist the allure of the half-seductresses, half-bird's singing.
Though the Bardo is currently under renovation Astronomy magazine and Melitatrips group got a good look at the cultural evolution of Tunisia from the Punic, Roman, Christian, Islamic, and Greek through these finely crafted mosaics
Melita
Bardo Museum
A plethora of astonishingly beautiful mosaics
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