Sidi Bou Said

Sidi Bou Saïd
سيدي بو سعيد
Suburb

Port of Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Saïd

Location in Tunisia

Coordinates: 36°52′N 10°20′E / 36.867°N 10.333°E / 36.867; 10.333
Country Tunisia
Governorate Tunis Governorate
Government
 • Type Unitary Semi-Presidential Republic
 • Mayor Raouf Dakhlaoui [1]
Population (2014)
 • Total 5,911
Time zone CET (UTC1)
Area code(s) 36° 52′ 0″ N, 10° 20′ 0″ E

Sidi Bou Said (Arabic: سيدي بو سعيد‎‎   Sīdi Bū Sɛīd) a town in northern Tunisia located about 20 km from the capital, Tunis.

Cafe de delice and coast view

Named for a religious figure who lived there, Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia al-Tamimi al-Baji (previously it was called Jabal el-Menar). The town itself is a tourist attraction and is known for its extensive use of blue and white. It can be reached by a TGM train, which runs from Tunis to La Marsa.

Artists

Sidi Bou Said has a reputation as a town of artists. Artists who have lived in or visited Sidi Bou Said include famous occultist Aleister Crowley, Paul Klee, Gustave-Henri Jossot, August Macke and Louis Moillet. Tunisian artists in Sidi Bou Said are members of École de Tunis (painting school of Tunis), such as Yahia Turki, Brahim Dhahak and Ammar Farhat. French philosopher Michel Foucault lived there for a number of years while teaching at the University of Tunis. French author Andre Gide also had a house in the town.

History

In the 12th century/13th century AD Abu Said Ibn Khalaf Yahya al-Tamimi al-Beji arrived in the village of Jabal el-Menar and established a sanctuary. After his death in 1231, he was buried there. In the 18th century Turkish governors of Tunis and wealthy citizens of the latter built residences in Sidi Bou Said.

During the 1920s, Rodolphe d'Erlanger applied the blue-white theme all over the town. His home, Ennejma Ezzahra, is now a museum.

References

  1. ↑ Report: Interview with the Mayor of Sidi Bou Saïd

Coordinates: 36°52′N 10°20′E / 36.867°N 10.333°E / 36.867; 10.333

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