Tunisia's Bardo Museum reopens after two-year closure with expanded galleries
After a two-year hiatus, the Bardo Museum in Tunis, recognized as the oldest museum in both the Arab world and Africa, welcomed visitors again in autumn 2023. Established in 1888 within a 17th-century palace, the museum faced several closures due to political unrest, including in 2011, 2015, 2020, and on July 25, 2021, following actions by President Kais Saied. The recent closure facilitated necessary conservation and expansion of exhibition areas. In its first week post-reopening, the museum drew 2,700 guests, with 900 on opening day. Its extensive collection, which spans over 40,000 years, includes Roman mosaics, statues, and a new display featuring the Chemtou treasure of 1,648 gold coins, coinciding with a cultural resurgence in Tunis.
Key facts
- Bardo Museum reopened in autumn 2023 after two-year closure
- Oldest museum in Arab world and Africa, founded in 1888
- Located in a 17th-century palace in Le Bardo, Tunis suburb
- Closed multiple times: 2011 revolution, 2015 terrorist attack, 2020 COVID-19, 2021 political measures
- President Kais Saied ordered parliament closure on July 25, 2021, affecting museum
- Restoration project added new sarcophagus hall and reorganized Islamic department
- 2,700 visitors in reopening week, 900 on first day
- Collection spans 40,000+ years from Phoenician to early Islamic periods
- Houses one of world's richest Roman mosaic collections (2nd–4th century)
- New Chemtou treasure room opened October 2023 with 1,648 gold coins
- Reopening coincided with Dream City festival and Jaou festival in Tunis
Entities
Artists
- Ridha Moumni
- Caterina Angelucci
Institutions
- Bardo Museum
- Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs
- L'Art Rue
- Kamel Lazaar Foundation
- Artribune
Locations
- Tunis
- Le Bardo
- Tunisia
- Mahdia
- Africa
- Arab world