Name of Monument:

Dar Zarrouk

Location:

La Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia

Date of Monument:

19th century

History:

This palace was built in the early 19th century on a huge plot of land in La Manouba belonging to 'Ali Zarrouk, the great-grandson of Hammouda Pacha Bey's minister, 'Ali Arbi Zarrouk. The architectural style chosen by 'Ali Zarrouk is evidence for the fashion amongst the urban elites of the time for comfortable, luxurious, houses in a European (and particularly Italian) style. The palace is currently the seat of the La Manouba local government.

Description:

This tall white façade with shuttered windows and a curved Italian-style door sits at the heart of a lush garden. Inside, a series of hallways on the ground floor, all leading to different rooms, are built with stunning Italian marble door frames and paving. The flat ceiling is decorated with pendant vaults. On the first floor, an innovative covered patio is beautifully lit by a Venetian crystal chandelier. Four reception rooms surround a central hall. The imported marble and faience pottery contrast with the shining gold gilding on the furnishings and the reflection from the huge windows and mirrors.

Citation of this web page:

Saloua Khadhar Zangar "Dar Zarrouk" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;awe;tn;5;en

Prepared by: Saloua Khadhar Zangar
Translation by: Flaminia Baldwin

MWNF Working Number: TN 005