Tunis

According to the attestations that have come down to us, Tunis has existed since at least the 4th century BC . Conquered by the Carthaginians , it was destroyed together with their capital in 146 BC , at the end of the third Punic war .

The Romans, victors of the conflict, not only rebuilt Tunis before Carthage, but transformed it from a suburban town into an important point of reference for trade. 

From 698 - the year in which Carthage was definitively destroyed - a period of splendor began for Tunis. The Arabs, taking advantage of its strategic position on the Mediterranean, decided to use the natural harbor as a base for their fleets; at the same time, they began to build what would become the heart and flagship of Tunis: the Medina. Under the hafside dynasty (which ruled from 1229 to 1574) the city was endowed with a mighty city wall. 

Dominated by the Ottoman Empire and later by the French, the capital of Tunisia gained independence in 1956.

Today Tunis is a very popular city especially by those who want to deepen their knowledge of Arab culture and art and who are eager to go back in time by visiting the places where the glorious Carthage once stood, founded in the 9th century BC. Most of the remains of the city that was a bitter enemy of Rome are located on the hill of Byrsa, a relief located north-east of Tunis where the National Archaeological Museum of Carthage is also located. 

Tunis is not only synonymous with history and art. Not far from Byrsa, in fact, are the charming village of Sidi Bou Said (a seaside resort known for its typical white and blue houses) and the beach of La Marsa. Last but not least, the village of La Goulette absolutely deserves a mention. In this town - which is home to the port of Tunis - is the "Little Sicily" neighborhood, where many Italians once lived. Among these is one of the most popular, talented and long-lived actresses of Italian cinema: Claudia Cardinale.