Hints Archives ⋆ Page 2 of 260 ⋆ The Passenger

May 31, 2025June 2, 2025

El Jem

The Amphithéâtre de El Jem, located in modern-day Tunisia, is an extraordinary example of Roman architecture in Africa, built around 238 AD. It stands out as one of the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres, capable of holding about 35,000 spectators. Unlike many amphitheatres built into hillsides, El Jem’s structure is free-standing on flat ground, supported by a sophisticated system of arches and stone blocks without foundations. Its elliptical shape measures roughly 148 by 122 meters, and it features three levels of arcades with Corinthian or composite columns, reflecting a high level of architectural accomplishment for its time. The arena also includes subterranean facilities for animals and gladiators, accessed through trap doors, demonstrating advanced engineering.

May 31, 2025June 2, 2025

Kairouan

القيروان, founded around 670 AD by the Umayyads during Caliph Mu’awiya’s reign, is a historically significant city in Tunisia and the Maghreb. It was the first Muslim city established in this region and quickly became a major center of Arab-Muslim civilization. For five centuries, Kairouan served as the capital and a vibrant hub of culture, education, and religion, reflecting the early development of Islamic architecture and urbanism. Its medina, with over a hundred monuments, narrow winding streets, and traditional souks, remains a living museum of Islamic art and history.

May 30, 2025June 2, 2025

Sidi Bou Saïd

سيدي بوسعيد is a captivating village perched on a steep hill overlooking the gulf of تونس, about 20 kilometers northeast of the capital of Tunisia. Its dramatic ascent offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the ancient city of Carthage below. The village’s distinctive blue and white architecture, introduced in the 1920s by the French painter and musicologist Rodolphe d’Erlanger, creates a striking visual harmony that has made Sidi Bou Saïd a beloved destination for travelers interested in history and culture.

May 30, 2025June 3, 2025

Carthage

Founded around 814 BCE by Phoenician settlers from Tyre, Carthage was a major ancient city located in present-day Tunisia near modern تونس. It grew rapidly into a powerful maritime empire controlling key Mediterranean trade routes. The city was strategically placed on a triangular peninsula with a natural harbour, protected by the Lac du Tunis, which made it a crucial hub for commerce and naval power. Carthage’s influence extended across North Africa, Sicily, and parts of Spain, until its destruction by Roma in 146 BCE after the Punic Wars.

May 29, 2025June 1, 2025

MACAM

The Musée National d’Art Moderne et Contemporain in تونس is a vibrant cultural institution located within the Cité de la Culture complex, dedicated to showcasing Tunisia’s dynamic modern art scene. It serves as a key platform for both local and international artists, reflecting the rich interplay between Tunisia’s historical heritage and contemporary artistic expression. The museum offers visitors a diverse collection of artworks that explore various themes and narratives relevant to modern society, providing a comprehensive insight into the evolution of Tunisian art beyond traditional forms.

May 29, 2025June 1, 2025

Mosaics

The Musée National du Bardo in تونس is housed in a magnificent 19th-century beylical palace, originally built as a royal residence, which combines Andalusian-Moorish, Ottoman, and Italian architectural influences. Established as a museum in 1888, it is one of the most important and oldest museums in the Mediterranean region and the second largest on the African continent after the Egyptian Museum of Cairo. The museum’s setting itself is a historical monument, offering visitors a glimpse into Tunisia’s royal past alongside its rich collections.

May 29, 2025June 2, 2025

Medina

The Medina of تونس is a remarkable historic quarter that dates back to the 7th century and flourished notably between the 12th and 16th centuries under the Almohad and Hafsid dynasties. This period marked Tunis as one of the wealthiest and most important cities in the Islamic world, reflected in the dense concentration of around 700 monuments including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas, and fountains. The Medina’s urban fabric beautifully showcases the interaction of architecture, culture, and socio-economic changes over centuries, making it a living museum of Arab-Muslim heritage.

May 28, 2025June 1, 2025

Tunis-Carthage

The Aéroport International de Tunis-Carthage (TUN), serving the capital of Tunisia, is steeped in history that dates back to 1920 when the first seaplane base was established on the lake of تونس. The airport officially opened as an airfield in 1938, initially handling a modest number of passengers on the Paris–Tunis route. During World War II, it played a strategic role as a base for the United States Air Force during the Italian Campaign, serving as a hub for reconnaissance and transport missions. Post-war, the airport was developed further with French funding and became the main hub for Tunisair in 1948, connecting تونس with various Mediterranean and European destinations.

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025

Alltagskultur

Visiting the Freilichtmuseum at Detmold is like stepping back in time to experience 500 years of Westphalian rural life. Spread across more than 90 hectares of picturesque landscape, the museum features over 100 original historical buildings that have been carefully relocated and reconstructed from various regions of Westphalia. As you wander through the grounds, you can explore authentic farmhouses, workshops, and village structures, all furnished true to their eras, giving a vivid impression of how people once lived and worked in this part of Germany.

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025

Arminius

Hermann was a chieftain of the Cherusci tribe who famously led a coalition of Germanic tribes to victory against the Romans in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD. The name ‘Hermann‘ was popularized in the 16th century as a translation of ‘Arminius‘, possibly first by Martin Luther, and means ‘man of war‘ in Old High German. Arminius had been trained by the Romans but turned against them, orchestrating one of Roma’s most devastating defeats.