Art and Architecture in Tunisia

A mosaic on stone that has been left in Tunisia since Roman times (Getty).

The art and architecture of Tunisia is incredibly diverse, since it has been controlled by a number of different conquerors. It was ruled by Carthage until the Romans conquered Carthage, and was held until it traded hands a few times, eventually being conquered by Arab Muslims in the 7th century CE.


The Zitouna Mosque in Tunis, it was first built in the 8th century CE and contains columns from conquered Carthage (Wikipedia).

The Muslims mostly maintained control, until the Ottomans gained control and influenced some of the Gothic architecture. Eventually, nearing the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Tunisia became a French outpost into Africa, and some examples of this influence still stand today.


The Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul, a mixture of Byzantine, Gothic, Muslim, and European influences (Wikipedia).

Over the years, Tunisia has come to host many rulers, and the examples of this diversity are available for all to see.

Sources:
"Al-Zaytuna Mosque." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 04 Jan. 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Zaytuna_Mosque.
"Cathedral of St. Vincent De Paul." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 04 Jan. 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_St._Vincent_de_Paul.
"Roman Mosaics from Tunisia." The Getty Museum. Web. 04 Jan. 2012. http://www.getty.edu/museum/conservation/partnerships/roman_mosaics/mosaics_5_lg.html.
"Tunisian History and Architecture." Islamic Architecture. Web. 04 Jan. 2012. http://www.islamic-architecture.info/NA-TU/NA-TU.htm.