The production of Halfa fibre keeps a tradition alive in Hergla to this day; alongside it are archaeological sites and an Old Town with a dense urban fabric. The contrast between an ongoing specialisation and historical heritage shapes the experience of discovering this old city on the Sahel. In the archaeological area, mosaic panels give history a tangible focus, while streets, lanes and courtyards directly adjoining one another define the spatial structure of the Old Town. In Hergla, historical heritage, urban form and a local tradition that continues to this day thus come together.

Archaeology and Mosaics

The archaeological area of Hergla is one of the city’s significant archaeological and historical sites and attracts many visitors throughout the year. It contains numerous mosaic panels, giving the site a distinct archaeological dimension. Its significance and its features complement one another: its designation as a historical site provides the context, while the mosaics identify a characteristic element of the area. For travellers interested in history, this is a clear cultural highlight. By contrast, the Old Town is distinguished by its urban fabric, so the archaeological perspective takes centre stage here.

The Fabric of the Old Town

In the Old Town, the spatial structure as a whole takes centre stage. Its urban fabric is dense: streets and lanes connect houses whose courtyards adjoin one another directly. The connections between the houses and the arrangement of the courtyards are therefore linked. This dense fabric describes not merely a collection of individual buildings, but also the relationships between the built elements. If you are interested in architecture and urban form, the focus is on this connection between paths, houses and directly adjoining courtyards. This perspective helps you understand the Old Town as a cohesive urban area.

Halfa: A Tradition That Continues Today

Hergla has long specialised in producing fibre from Halfa plants, and this tradition continues today. It gives the city a different relationship with time than the archaeological area does. The mosaics and historical sites are archaeological heritage; Halfa production, by contrast, is an ongoing specialisation. Two cultural perspectives therefore come into view: historical material heritage on the one hand, and a local craft tradition that continues into the present on the other. Anyone interested in the culture of a place will find this a distinctive way to explore Hergla’s history.

Finding Your Way Around the City Centre

In the city centre, Hergla’s seafront promenade runs parallel to 14 January Street; the sea lies to the east. This gives you three clear reference points for finding your way: the city centre, the road and the sea to the east. Hergla thus offers a broader spatial perspective alongside the Old Town’s intricate fabric. This differs from finding your way within the Old Town, whose character is shaped by the relationships between streets, houses and courtyards.

Discover more destinations: Hergla, Sousse Medina and Sidi Bou Ali.

For the broader travel overview: Sousse.