The
Bardo museum is situated in the old palace of the bey, in what was the
countryside before, and offers both itself and and the exhibits to be
admired. The tour around the museum is a a tour through Tunisian history,
but you'll find a strong dominance of Roman and Muslim times, as well as
interior and rooms of the last couple of centuries. The best offer is a
huge collections of Roman mosaics, one of the best in the world. When you
have visited the museum, head back to the center of Tunis,- there is
nothing to see in the quarters around the museum.
Tunisia
has the finest collection of mosaics in the world and the majority of
these can be seen at the Bardo Museum. This Moorish palace in the suburbs
of Tunis was ,at one time, the residence of Tunisia's Beys (kings), and
besides housing the fabulous exposition of mosaics, it contains an
important collection of Prehistoric, Roman, Punic and Islamic artifacts.
Realistic scenes of hunting, a panorama of mythological gods and
goddesses, exquisite still lifes of fish and games, the legendary Hercules
and the adventurous Odysseus are portrayed with astonishing mastery of
form and color. What marvelous skill it was of these unknown artists who
used tiny chips of stone to create such beauty!
Small
snacks and a refreshment are obtainable from one of the popular cafés
across the street from the main entrance of the museum.
Use the
metro, go west (you'll see the museum on your right side), turn the
corner, and after a small walk more, you're in front of the open gate