Culture of Djerba Island. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

One of the most significant attractions of Djerba Island is the El Ghriba Synagogue – one of the most ancient in the world and the oldest one in Africa. According to legend, a girl named Ghriba died here many centuries ago. Her body was set on fire by custom; however, the body didn’t burn. Due to this, people believe she was holy so they built the temple in her honour. Yet, there is one more legend: there was a woman who came from a stone that fell down from the skies. She appeared in front of Jews, who came from Jerusalem to Tunisia after Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem and told them to build the synagogue right on that place.

One of the first versions of Torah is kept in the El Ghriba (tourists can’t take a look at it as it’s hidden there). Besides, as the story tells, one of the Talmud’s authors is buried also in the synagogue. The building was rebuilt several times (the last one was in 1820). If looking from the outside, it’s just unremarkable grey building with a little patio behind the gates which takes you right to the entering doors. The interior of the synagogue is a kind of combination of Muslim traditional sculpted pillars and Jewish white-blue ceramic tiles. What is more, there is a hostel for pilgrims just near the building. Any tourist who would like to see in what conditions Jews who came to the El Ghriba Synagogue live. Entering the synagogue, don’t forget to cover your head and to dress decently – it’s essential for both men and women. Besides, if you decided to come there on your own, a policeman would probably ask you to show your documents.

In case if you’re rather fond of Muslim religious constructions, then you definitely should come to Houmt El Souk. The Jemaâ El Ghorba – where followers of Maliki come to pray –, the El Sheikh – the main mosque of all island’s Ibadi –, and the Jemaâ Ettrouk – designed in the typical Turkish style – are located there. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If you come just a little bit away from the city, you can see the Borj El K'bir Fort which was built in the 13th century. To be more precise, it was constructed in 1284 as a protection of the city from Spanish invaders and pirates. Presently you can find the ruins of that village on the bottom of the ditch. Spaniards conquered the Jemaâ several times, and only in 1560 people managed to subjugate the city in the bloody battle with Turks. The fort was completely reconstructed under the leadership of Ghazi Mustapha. That is the reason why the fort is now often called as Borj El Ghazi Mustapha.

There is an obelisk right in front of the fort which was built in honour of the victory of Turks over Spaniards - Borj-el-Riouss. Originally it was a «pyramid» of the defeated Spaniards’ heads, not a granite monument. The pyramid had been standing there for almost three centuries – from 1560 till 1848. After that, locals disassemble the construction and buried the remains of the soldiers at the Christian cemetery. Finally, they established a more civilized monument to the Turks’ tactical genius.

Also, Djerba Explore – also known as Djerba Heritage – is a must see! You can not only a crocodile farm there but a true traditional Tunisian village too. Scientists had scrupulously restored all the buildings including the accurate reproduction of the interior. In addition, a water-collecting camel can be considered as an all-sufficient sight.

Lalla Hadria Museum is also located here. It’s dedicated to the mode of life and culture of the local population on the period from the 8th to the 19th centuries. Traditional Tunisian clothes, houseware, pictures, statues, and various stuff made by craftsmen of different times are presented in 15 halls.

As a continuation of your journey in the past, visit Guellala where pottery is highly popular even today. You can see there how people used to create their clay dishes and even try yourself in it.

If you go to the hill not far from the village, you’ll stumble upon the Museum of Ethnography. You can find more about local national celebrations, clothing, customs, and traditions of the islanders there. Furthermore, we’d recommend you to visit the museum of local lore which is located near Borj El Kebir. Traditional clothes, wares of precious metals, glass, and ceramics, guns, and tools are presented in the museum.

The Roman road – which is mentioned in every guide – is today nothing more than a typical freeway that connects the island with the mainland. Anything that would remind us of people who used to live here many and many centuries ago is buried under the asphalt. If you’re fond of «Star Wars»m there are still decorations of the films in Ajim village. The city-port of Tatooine where Luke Skywalker met Han Solo and Chewbacca still stands there among the sands.