Two minarets, two floor plans

In Soliman, there is a particularly typical minaret with a square floor plan, and opposite it, a Hanafi minaret with an octagonal floor plan. The contrast is geometrically clear: a square and an octagon have different numbers of sides. A floor plan shows the shape of a building as seen from above; the comparison therefore focuses on the architecture itself. At the same time, one of the two minarets is explicitly identified as Hanafi. If you are interested in architectural forms, this juxtaposition offers a specific starting point for discovering Soliman’s architecture through two named features.

Sebkhet Soliman: landscape and birdlife

Another point of interest lies in the area around the city: Sebkhet Soliman is a coastal wetland north of Soliman, four kilometres from the city. Its landscape includes a lagoon, sandy areas, and dunes; the area is also a Ramsar site. Several landscape features thus come together at the Sebkhet. Its location sets it apart from the urban area: the wetland is near Soliman but outside the city, forming a natural area of its own.

Vegetation also characterises the Sebkhet. It is dominated by salt-tolerant plants, including glasswort; there are also trees, shrubs, and reeds. Salt-tolerant plants can cope with saline conditions, connecting this group to the character of the coastal wetland. The vegetation adds specific plant groups to the picture formed by the lagoon, sandy areas, and dunes. It can change seasonally, so the vegetation you encounter may vary depending on the time of year.

The diverse waterbird population includes several species of ducks, waders, stilt-legged birds, gulls, and terns. There is also a seasonal highlight: songbirds are particularly abundant at Sebkhet Soliman during migration periods. These two aspects complement one another without addressing the same question: the different groups give an impression of the waterbird population, while timing is especially important for songbirds. If you are interested in birds, it is worth keeping both the variety of groups and the seasonal focus in mind.

A guided hike and how to get there

A programme by Réseaux Enfants de la Terre and its partners includes, among other things, a guided hike at Sebkhet Soliman. The focus is on birds and the natural landscape. This differs from the focus on the minarets in town: the hike is about nature and birdlife, while the comparison there concerns architectural forms. If you are interested in this guided perspective, check in advance whether the hike is being offered.

By car, take the paved road between Soliman and Soliman plage. From the main entrance, continue on foot or by bicycle. For orientation, it helps to think of the journey and travel from the entrance as two separate stages: the car is for getting there, and then you continue on foot or by bicycle. Check local conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Sulayman, Nabeul, Korba, Haouaria.

Go to the main travel overview: Nabeul.