The Gate of the Sea or Gate of France stands at the meeting point between the historic city and the modern city beyond. The original gate was built in the 10th century during the Aghlabid period, when Tunis was protected by defensive walls enclosing the old town. Demolished in 1848 and rebuilt in 1860 under French rule, the gate took on its current form at a moment when the city was opening outward toward newly planned European quarters.

The name Gate of the Sea reflects its original orientation toward the coastline and the route leading to the port. During the French protectorate, it became known as the Gate of France, a name that emphasized its role as the entrance to the European district. After Tunisia gained independence, the gate officially returned to its original Arabic name. Architecturally modest, the structure consists of a single arched passage topped by a parapet and inscription, with a marked elevation of seven meters above sea level.

Passing through the gate is a clear physical and visual transition. On the old town side, narrow streets, souks, and traditional buildings close in immediately around the gate. On the modern side, France Avenue opens onto wider streets lined with cafés, shops, and administrative buildings. Often the first point of entry for visitors approaching the old city, the Gate of the Sea compresses centuries of urban history into just a few steps. Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage, it remains one of the most meaningful places to experience the city’s layered past and evolving identity.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Cathedral was completed in 1897 during the French protectorate as part of the city’s late-19th-century transformation. Dedicated to Saint Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of charity, the cathedral reflects a period when new religious, civic, and administrative institutions were reshaping the capital’s urban identity. The cathedral continues to function as the episcopal seat of the Archdiocese of Tunis and remains open to visitors.

As you approach the building, its eclectic architecture becomes immediately noticeable. Designed by architect L. Bonnet-Labrance, the cathedral combines Moorish, Gothic, and Neo-Byzantine influences. The façade features arched openings, domed elements, and twin bell towers, added in 1910 using the then-innovative Hennebique reinforced-concrete technique. Yellow-and-white decorative tiles, a wrought-iron gate, and marble columns guide visitors toward the covered entrance.

Visitor access is from Algiers Street, which runs along the right side when viewed from the main facade. As you enter, the first thing you see is a large statue of Christ with outstretched arms. Moving into the nave, the view opens upward toward high vaults and softly colored stained glass. On your right, the space draws you toward the altar area, framed by rounded arches and stone columns. Above it rises the decorated dome, richly painted with biblical scenes and figures arranged in circular bands.

Just beyond the altar area is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. Along the side walls, a small portrait gallery depicting saints is arranged. On the right-hand side of the nave, opposite the altar, stands a statue of the Virgin Mary, beside the Chapel of the Relics, also referred to as the treasury, where sacred liturgical objects are displayed.

The Mosque of Olive is the oldest mosque in Tunis. Its origins date to the early 8th century, traditionally linked to Hassan ibn al-Nuʿman, an Arab general and governor, though most historians agree the mosque was largely completed around 732 CE under the Umayyad governor Ubayd Allah ibn al-Habhab. The mosque then underwent a decisive transformation in 864 CE, when the Aghlabid dynasty carried out a major reconstruction that gave the complex much of the form seen today.

Architecturally, the mosque follows the principles of early North African Islamic design. Covering approximately 5,000 square meters, it includes a large rectangular courtyard and a hypostyle prayer hall supported by more than 150 columns, many reused from ancient Carthage. The square minaret was rebuilt in 1894 during the French protectorate. Designed in a deliberate Almohad revival style, it echoes earlier Islamic landmarks such as the Great Mosque of Algiers and the Giralda in Seville.

The name “Olive” is tied to strong local tradition. One legend associates it with Saint Olivia of Palermo, whose memory is linked to an earlier Christian presence on or near the site. Historically, however, the name is officially attributed to a single olive tree said to have stood where Ubayd Allah ibn al-Habhab first prayed. Beyond worship, the mosque was also home to the University of Ez-Zitouna, one of the most influential centers of learning in the Islamic world.

For visitors today, non-Muslims are often not permitted inside the courtyard, depending on current regulations. Instead, the most familiar views of the mosque are from the rooftop terraces of surrounding carpet shops, particularly in nearby souks.

The Souks of Tunis form the commercial center of the old town and have shaped daily life in the city for centuries. This dense network of covered markets developed largely in the 13th century, organizing trade by craft and profession. Each souk traditionally specialized in a specific activity, creating a structured marketplace that closely linked commerce, religion, and urban life.

Walking through the souks reveals a sequence of narrow passages, vaulted ceilings, and shafts of filtered light, with shops opening directly onto the lanes. Many of the historic specializations remain visible today. The Perfumers' Market continues its long association with perfumes and fragrances, alongside henna and beauty products, while Souk El Bay is known for precious metals and jewelry. Textile traditions survive in Souk El Kmach and Souk El Kebabgia, while Souk Ech-Chaouachine, established in 1692, is still closely associated with the production of chachias, the traditional Tunisian skullcap made using Andalusian techniques.

Some souks reflect more complex layers of history. Souk El Berka, built in 1612, was once the city’s slave market, where auctions took place on a central platform. After slavery was abolished in Tunisia in 1846, the souk transitioned into a center for jewelry trading, giving the space a very different role while preserving its architectural form. Souk Es Sabbaghine, historically devoted to dyeing textiles, an activity considered unsuitable near the mosque, was deliberately located farther away.

Merchants call out from shaded doorways, craftsmen work in open view, and everyday exchanges unfold among centuries-old buildings. Moving through this living network offers a direct encounter with the scale, sound, and pace of the old town, revealing how tradition, trade, and daily necessity continue to shape one of North Africa’s most enduring urban marketplaces.

The Kasbah Square (Place de la Kasbah) is a lively and active public square located in the heart of the historic Kasbah district in Tunis. It was established in the late 1950s following the demolition of the citadel of Tunis ramparts and adjacent buildings, becoming the center of a new urban and political complex that hosts public institutions and administrative offices.

Since the 2011 revolution, the square has been a site for various political demonstrations, including two significant sit-ins calling for government resignation and the election of a constituent assembly.

The square's centerpiece is the National Monument of the Kasbah, designed and executed by Tunisian sculptor Abdelfattah Boussetta in 1989, which serves as a memorial monument and symbol of several events in Tunisia.

Kasbah Square is located opposite the well-known Mosquée El-Kasbah and houses the City Hall of Tunis, representing the intersection of tradition and modernity. It is an attractive square with graceful black lanterns and many red Tunisian flags, close to downtown Tunis and within walking distance of other places like the old Medina.