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

NewsTunisian town of Sidi Bou Said added to UNESCO World Heritage listA family walks in the town of Sidi Bou Said, 20 km north of Tunis, Tunisia, 24 October 2015.   -   Copyright © africanews AP PhotoBy Rédaction Africanews with AFPLast updated: 26/07 - 08:52TunisiaFamed 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 likeHaiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 13 minutes ago01:14Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 25 minutes ago01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 47 minutes agoFrom the same country00:53Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:0501:52Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:0801:04Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45View moreShareMore About UNESCO UNESCO Cultural Heritage List Architecture Sufism World Heritage Site TourismYou may also likeHaiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 13 minutes ago01:14Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 25 minutes ago01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 47 minutes agoFrom the same country00:53Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:0501:52Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:0801:04Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45On the same subjectNEWS01:54UNESCO recognition boosts efforts to preserve Sao Tome's historic plantations 30/08 - 15:10NO COMMENT01:00Croatia wildfire near Omiš injures residents and disrupts holiday travel 14/08 - 17:07NO COMMENT01:00Rome’s Colosseum extends cool night tours as heatwaves scorch city 14/08 - 15:26NO COMMENT01:00Half a million visitors flock to Spain’s path of total solar eclipse 13/08 - 08:29NEWS02:18Tunisia: Sidi Bou Said residents welcome UNESCO inscription 13/08 - 09:04NEWS01:47Sudan's civil war threatens ancient pyramids of Meroë 09/08 - 08:45More stories01:25General Abdourahamane TchianiCalm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago01:02CoupVote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago00:56United KingdomNotting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours agoRead the full article at Africanews