São Paulo – The Bardo National Museum, in Tunis, Tunisia, was reinaugurated in July after a long period of refurbishment and expansion works which started in 2009, and during which the museum remained only partially open. It is the oldest and most important museum in the country, and houses one of the world’s most famous collections of Roman mosaics.
According to the news agency Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP), the project cost 19 million Tunisian dinars (US$ 11.7 million) and the exhibition area has nearly doubled in size. A total of 9,000 square metres have been added to the area, which now covers 20,000 square metres.
According to TAP, after the overhaul, the museum is now up to par with international standards. There are more items on display, in an environment both modern and integrated with the architecture of the palace that harbours it, largely built in the mid-19th century. A highlight is the new lighting system, designed in accordance with international regulations.
Although it is mostly known for its mosaics, the museum represents all phases of Tunisian history, from prehistory until the mid-20th century. According to TAP, six new pavilions are dedicated to Prehistoric Times, the Punic era – Tunis was built where Carthage stood in ancient times –, the Numidian civilization, the underwater treasure of Mahdia, the Late Antiquity, and Islam.
Highlights of the collection include a 40,000 year-old altar considered one of the earliest spiritual manifestations of humanity, a Punic solid gold armor, Greek items retrieved from a ship wrecked in the 1st century AC, Roman mosaics and other objects, and several works in the museum’s Arab/Islamic collection.
With a capacity for 2,800 visitors, the museum’s large hall houses the monumental mosaic Triumph of Neptune and an information centre.
The institution also offers a bookstore, stores, temporary exhibitions, media libraries, and educational workshops for children and adults. After the refurbishment, 1 million visitors are expected each year, according to TAP.
Service:
Musée National du Bardo
Address: Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia
Time: until September 15 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, from September 16 to April 30 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closes on Mondays.
Ticket price: N/A
Website: http://bit.ly/OecfE4
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
