Tunisian town of Sidi Bou Said added to UNESCO World Heritage list

News Tunisian town of Sidi Bou Said added to UNESCO World Heritage list A family walks in the town of Sidi Bou Said, 20 km north of Tunis, Tunisia, 24 October 2015.   -   Copyright © africanews AP Photo By Rédaction Africanews with AFP Last updated: 26/07 - 08:52 Tunisia Famed for its cobbled streets and blue and white houses, the Tunisian coastal town of Sidi Bou Said on Saturday was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the ancient ruins of Carthage, the picturesque village is a major tourist stop. It was built in the 18th century around the shrine of the revered Sufi master Sidi Bou Said al-Baji, who founded a spiritual sanctuary there in the 12th or 13th century. But the popular site faces major challenges including pressure on land use and the geological stability of the cliff. In January, the heaviest rainfall in over 70 years caused major damage, triggering landslides as mud swept down alleyways, destroying facades, and damaging homes. The Tunisian cultural ministry says the town, 20 kilometres outside of the capital Tunis, was recognised for its outstanding universal value. It hailed the announcement as a signal of "the universal exceptional value of Sidi Bou Said as a space of cultural, spiritual and artistic inspiration". The ministry cited the town’s distinct architectural identity, rich cultural heritage, and centuries-long contribution to Mediterranean civilisation. With the inscription of Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia now has 10 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 13 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 25 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 47 minutes ago From the same country 00:53 Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:05 01:52 Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:08 01:04 Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45 View more Share More About UNESCO UNESCO Cultural Heritage List Architecture Sufism World Heritage Site Tourism You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 13 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 25 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 47 minutes ago From the same country 00:53 Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:05 01:52 Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:08 01:04 Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45 On the same subject NEWS 01:54 UNESCO recognition boosts efforts to preserve Sao Tome's historic plantations 30/08 - 15:10 NO COMMENT 01:00 Croatia wildfire near Omiš injures residents and disrupts holiday travel 14/08 - 17:07 NO COMMENT 01:00 Rome’s Colosseum extends cool night tours as heatwaves scorch city 14/08 - 15:26 NO COMMENT 01:00 Half a million visitors flock to Spain’s path of total solar eclipse 13/08 - 08:29 NEWS 02:18 Tunisia: Sidi Bou Said residents welcome UNESCO inscription 13/08 - 09:04 NEWS 01:47 Sudan's civil war threatens ancient pyramids of Meroë 09/08 - 08:45 More stories 01:25 General Abdourahamane Tchiani Calm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago 01:02 Coup Vote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago 00:56 United Kingdom Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours ago