Sidi Bou Said ( ar, سيدي بو سعيد ') is a town in northern

Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...

located about 20 km from the capital,

Tunis ''Tounsi'' french: Tunisois , population_note = , population_urban = , population_metro = 2658816 , population_density_km2 = , timezone1 = CET , utc_offset1 ...

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 , population_note = , population_urban = , population_metro = 2658816 , population_density_km2 = , timezone1 = CET , utc_offset1 ...

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 , population_note = , population_urban = , population_metro = 2658816 , population_density_km2 = , timezone1 = CET , utc_offset1 ...

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