Djerba Island, located in Tunisia’s Gulf of Gabes on the Mediterranean Sea, has officially been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. This announcement came during the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Tunisian Culture Ministry celebrated the inclusion, noting that this addition brings the total number of Tunisian sites on the prestigious list to nine.
Some of Tunisia’s already-listed UNESCO sites include El Jem Amphitheatre, Carthage Archaeological Site, the Medina of Tunis, Kairouan, and the Dougga Archaeological Site. Djerba joins this impressive group, adding to Tunisia’s rich cultural heritage.
The island covers nearly 500 square kilometers (198 square miles) and has a population of 160,000. Known for its religious diversity, Djerba is home to ancient mosques, churches, and synagogues, showcasing a harmonious coexistence of different faiths over the centuries.
Djerba is especially significant to Jewish visitors, who flock to the El Ghriba synagogue, one of the oldest in the world, built over 2,400 years ago. The island is also renowned for its natural landscapes, which make it a popular tourist destination.
With its rich cultural, religious, and natural heritage, Djerba’s inclusion on the UNESCO list further emphasizes its global importance as a cultural and historical treasure.
