Discover Art and Culture in Rades

These two places appeal to different interests. The Centre brings together studios, exhibitions and other cultural activities; the garden adds a green space with a zoo to the mix.

Art and Cultural Activities in Rades

The Centre des Arts Vivants de Radès was founded in 1982 by Abdallah and Safia Farhat and donated to the Tunisian state. It is supervised by the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The centre includes a large multipurpose studio and a large ceramics studio with a separate area for kilns. There are also studios for engraving, weaving and sculpture, a dance hall with a parquet floor, a photography lab, three individual studios for artist residencies and a library.

The range of activities therefore extends from ceramics and visual arts to photography, dance and weaving. The Centre also includes the Musée Safia Farhat museum, which has been open since December 2016. The Centre offers training workshops and artist residencies; its activities also include exhibitions and a variety of cultural events. If you want to include a specific workshop or exhibition in your travel plans, check the dates and participation options in advance.

The Sidi-Bou-Yahya Garden

The public Sidi-Bou-Yahya Garden in Rades reopened after a complete renovation and restoration. Its zoo has also been revitalised with groups of animals from different habitats. The garden offers a different focus from the Centre: here, the main attractions are the public green space and the zoo. Check the garden’s current operating status before visiting.

Historic Sites in the Wider Destination of Ben Arous

Within the wider destination of Ben Arous, Oudhna is a distinct historical destination. The site probably existed before Roman rule in Africa, and possibly as early as the time of the indigenous Berbers of North Africa. At the end of the 1st century BC, Oudhna was founded as a colony for veterans of Rome’s XIII Legion. The colony was also known as Uthina and reached its heyday in the 2nd century AD, particularly under Hadrian.

Oudhna: Urban Layout and Buildings

The amphitheatre is partly cut into a hill on the northeastern edge of the city and could seat around 16,000 spectators. The House of Icarius offers a different sense of scale: it covers about 2,300 m² and has more than 30 rooms. A mosaic floor there depicts a grape harvest; the central image shows Dionysus giving Icarius a vine.

Oudhna’s large public baths are a symmetrical building of the imperial type, covering about 10,000 m². The upper level contains hot and cold rooms, while the lower level was used to store firewood. An aqueduct supplied Oudhna with water, including for the baths. The house and bath complex thus offer two different insights into the ancient city: the rooms of a home and monumental public architecture.

The archaeological site also includes an ancient theatre and a historic temple known as the Temple of the Capitol. Large public cisterns stood southwest of the forum. Several houses with mosaic floors have also been excavated on the site.

Trails in Boukornine National Park

Another regional attraction in the wider destination of Ben Arous is Boukornine National Park. It has three established visitor trails: a general discovery trail, a trail for exploring the park’s plant and animal diversity, and a hiking trail. Each trail has a different focus; check the condition of your chosen trail before planning a hike.

Discover More Destinations

Gammarth, Tunis, Manouba, La Goulette, Zougueg, Sidi Bou Saïd, Carthage

For the wider travel guide: Tunis.