Medina of Tunis


World Heritage Identification Number: 36

World Heritage since: 1979

Category: Cultural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: No

Country: 🇹🇳 Tunisia

Continent: Africa

UNESCO World Region: Arab States

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The Medina of Tunis: A Testament to the Wealth and Grandeur of the Islamic World

The Medina of Tunis, located in the heart of the Tunisian capital, stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of the Islamic world. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, this ancient city quarter offers a unique glimpse into the grandeur and splendor that once marked Tunis as one of the most significant cities in the Islamic realm during the Almohad and Hafsid periods (12th to 16th centuries).

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Under the Almohads and the Hafsids, from the 12th to the 16th century, Tunis was considered one of the greatest and wealthiest cities in the Islamic world. Some 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains, testify to this remarkable past.

Encyclopedia Record: Medina of Tunis

The Medina of Tunis is the medina quarter of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

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Additional Site Details

Area: 296.41 hectares

UNESCO Criteria: (ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement

Coordinates: 36.81667 , 10.16667

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Image of Medina of Tunis

Raspail, Public domain

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Nearby World Heritage Sites

Archaeological Site of Carthage
15 km — Tunisia
Ichkeul National Park
58 km — Tunisia
Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis
84 km — Tunisia
Dougga / Thugga
95 km — Tunisia
Medina of Sousse
118 km — Tunisia

Country Information: Tunisia

Flag of Tunisia

Official Name: Tunisian Republic

Capital: Tunis

Continent: Africa

Population (2024): 12,277,109

Population (2023): 12,200,431

Population (2022): 12,119,334

Land Area: 155,360 sq km

Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND)

Country Data Sources

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Portions of the page Medina of Tunis are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Medina of Tunis, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.

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