Dougga, Tunisia - October 2023

  We spent the last full day in Tunisia exploring Dougga, an archaelogical site in the northwest region. From Tunis, we took a "shared-ride" van to a town called Teboursouk, then a taxi to Dougga. One way trip took about two hours. We passed by arid and deserty landscape with olive trees, cactus and pomegranate orchards. There were some police  check points along the road. Our van was stopped once on the way back. All passengers had to show their goverment issued ID.  We had left our passports back at the hotel, so we showed our North Carolina drivers license.  We made it through the check point OK.  

Dougga: The current archaeological site of Dougga, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is representing " the best-preserved Roman small town in North Africa". 

Dougga, UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Capitol complex: an amphitheater and various temples.

The Capitol

Near Temple of Juno.

 Temple of Juno Caelestis in the Capitol Hill.

Temple of Juno


Amphitheater Seating.


Paul on the top row of the amphitheater.


Columns across the amphitheater.

Temple of Minerva Augusta.

The ruins looking out to the Kalled Valley


Temple of Mercury

Temple of Mercury - sideview

Dugga ruins overlooking the Kalled Valley 

Archway to Licinian Baths.

Ruins of the Licinian Baths with Temple of Mercury in the background.

Mosaic floor.

Licinian Baths/ruins

Mosaic flooring in Licinian Baths.

Ruins of columns by the Capitol complex.

The Kalled Valley and the Teboursuk montains.

Last glimsp of the Capitol Hill while exiting Dougga archaeoligical site.

Leaving the Kalled Valley, the town and the Teboursuk mountains behind as we traveled back to Tunis.

Kairoruan, Sousse, Bou Jaafar Beach - Tunisia - October 2023.

We headed out to Kairouan in the morning of our last day in Sousse.  Kairouan is a city in northern Tunisa's inland desert, about 50 miles southwest of Sousse, about one hour by car. Along the way, we followed the desert landscape which is very dry and arrid. Paul said "even cactus looks dry and dusty!". However, from time to time, we passed olive and dates orchards. 

 Kairouan : discovered in the 7th century and became a powerful trading hub and center of Islamic learning in the 9th century.  It is considered a holy city in Islam, ranking fourth after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. A UNESCO World Heritage, the Great Mosque located on the edge of the medina, is a major pilgrimage site. The Medina of Kairouan, also a UNESCO Site, Mosque of  the Three Doors, Basins of Aghlabides and Kairouan Archaeological Museum are popular tourist attractions of the area.

A street in Kairouan.

The wall of Kairouan Medina.

The Mosque of the Three Gates in the medina.

 

A street in the medina.

In the medina.

A beautiful "blue" door.

The heritage center of Kairouan.

Great Mosque - Back entrance.

Great Mosque - Back wall.side.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan. Its minaret is the oldest minaret in the world, and considered the masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

Oiled Farhane Cemetery with view of the Great Mosque.

Students just getting off the bus.

Entrance to the archaeological park of Kairouan and Aghlabid Cisterns.

Aghlabid Cistern (on right).

Streets between cisterns.

Aghlabid Cistern (on left).

Maghreb Arabe Square in Kairouan.

Maghreb Arabe Square.

We spent the afternoon and evening in Sousse after returning from Kairouan. It was nice to walk around the city and enjoy the beach near the Sousse Medina.

Leaving the medina.

  

Arriving at Bou Jaarfar Beach, a short walk from Sousse Medina.

Bou Jaarfar Beach.

Medina square leading to the beach.

Shopping Mall entrance in front of the medina.

Fountain and shopping center just outside the medina.

Entrance to Sousse Medina.

Leaving Sousse the next day, we went back to Tunis. We stayed at the same hotel we did in Tunis before, Hotel Tiba.