Takrouna, the village of Berber origins that tells a story to its visitors, will always remain a unique place not only because of the way it is built but also because of its brimming history.
Takrouna – The Forgotten Berber Charm of Tunisia
First of all, the village is about six kilometers west of Enfidha region. Its name said to be probably connected to a tribe known as “Ta Kurunna” migrated to Andalusia in the eighth century after the expulsion of the moors in 1609. Thus, it is quite possible that a family of refugees would have settled in the village and would have given its name.
Another point worth noting is that one of the village’s distinguishing features is that it is built on a high rock rising 200 meters above sea level .It also offers an overall view of the surrounding areas; the gulf of Hammamet, Zaghouan, Sousse, and Hergla. What is more, the village witnessed a battle during WW II when the New Zealanders forced the Germans to leave their positions on 12th April 1943.
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- Old Harbor of Bizerte: Tunisia’s Forgotten Treasure
- The Village of Chenini — A True Tunisian Hidden Gem
At the bottom of the village, we find the families who previously lived on the rock and left their houses for reasons of comfort, proximity to water, electricity, roads, and especially schools. On the third level is the “Zaouia” of “Sidi El Jilani” (The Saint of the village) and an ancient mosque built in the 13th. And, at the top of the rock lived the family “Gmash” from Andalusia.
It is a breathtaking walk from the bottom of the village to its top. It is a walk worth taking, grabbing a coffee on the way when passing by a cultural spot known as “The Blue Rock” and gazing at the marvelous sunset. Once there, visitors can enjoy a stop at the top of Mount Takrouna to discover the eco-museum “Dar Gmach” that contains an authentic and a diverse collection of the painter Ali Bellagha.
It is refreshing when walking around looking at the ancient Berber houses which collapsed, but still a feature of both the history and the beauty of the village. It is a place where you find yourself wondering while wandering as it puts a spell on its visitors in a way to let them willing to discover everything related to the village and its history.
Although it has lately been a destination for some Tunisian singers choosing it as the appropriate location during filming, Mount Takrouna has unfortunately witnessed a collapse of one of its parts on February 2nd, 2021.
The abandoned village’s recent incident tells how our historical heritage is failed to be taken care of and how authenticity is neglected. In conclusion, a renewal scheme has unquestionably been a necessity not only to preserve the location but also to protect people living around.
Suggested Reads:
- The Complete Guide of The Imperial Cities of Tunisia
- Tunisia’s Roman Ruins of Bulla Regia: Rich History and Unique Architecture
- El Jem Amphitheatre — The Greatest Roman Colosseum in North Africa
- The Great Mosque of Ez-Zitouna — Tunis’ Oldest & Most Significant Mosque
Zeineb Neffeti, a holder of a bachelor’s degree in the English language and an MA degree in Cross-Media Journalism from the faculty of Arts and Humanities of Sousse.
I am a bibliophile, a pluviophile, a music lover, and a person who admires staring at details and writes about them. Thus, holding a pen or typing on a keyboard is one of my favorite moments.
I also like photography, and capturing the moment remains an ultimate goal.
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