Sidi Bou Said ( ar, سيدي بو سعيد ') is a town in northern
Tunisia
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located about 20 km from the capital,
Tunis
''Tounsi'' french: Tunisois
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.
Named for a religious figure who lived there,
Abu Said al-Baji, it was previously 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
''Tounsi'' french: Tunisois
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to
La Marsa
La Marsa ( aeb, المرسى ') is a coastal town in far north eastern Tunisia near the capital Tunis. The population is estimated as 92,987, as of 2014. The old summer capital of pre-colonial Tunisia, it is today a popular vacation spot for many ...
.
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 wealthy citizens of
Tunis
''Tounsi'' french: Tunisois
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built residences in Sidi Bou Said.
During the 1920s,
Rodolphe d'Erlanger introduced the blue-white theme to the town. His home,
Ennejma Ezzahra, is now a museum that has a collection of musical instruments, and organizes concerts of classical and Arabic music.
Famous people
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
Aleister Crowley (; born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the pr ...
,
Paul Klee
Paul Klee (; 18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940) was a Swiss-born German artist. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. Klee was a natural draftsman who experimented ...
,
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.
Former Tunisian President
Beji Caid Essebsi was born in Sidi Bou Said, as was
Moufida Tlatli
Moufida Tlatli ( aeb, مفيدة التلاتلي; 4 August 19477 February 2021) was a Tunisian film director, screenwriter, and editor. She is noted for her breakthrough film '' The Silences of the Palace'' in 1994, which won several internatio ...
, film director, screenwriter, and editor.
Azzedine Alaïa had a house in Sidi Bou Said which is now transformed into an art gallery.
French singer
Patrick Bruel sang about Sidi Bou Said, specifically about Café des Délices, in his song ''Au Café des Délices'' in his 1999 album ''Juste Avant.''
Gallery
File:Carthage Palace from Sidi Bou Said.jpg, Carthage Palace from Sidi Bou Said
File:Sidi Bou Said 2007.JPG, Typical street with white walls and blue window shades
File:SidBS (47).JPG, Café de Nattes and souvenir shops
File:Cafe des delices in Sidi Bou Said.jpg, Café des delices at night
Graffiti à Sidi Bousaid.jpg, Graffiti in Sidi Bou Said
Gulf of Tunis by night.jpg, Gulf of Tunis by night
Sidi bousaid 2.jpg, Sidi Bou Said in a cloudy weather
Sidi Bou Said 01.jpg, Sidi Bou Said road
Sidi Bou Said at night.jpg, Sidi Bou Said at night
Sidi Bou Said(js)1.jpg, People and tourists in Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, Tunisia - panoramio (8).jpg, Sea and Mountain view from Sidi Bou Said
TGM Sidi Bou Kassus.jpg, TGM in Sidi Bou Said
References
External links
About Sidi Bou Said in general*
{{Authority control
Populated places in Tunis Governorate
Communes of Tunisia