Tunisia’s picturesque coastal village of Sidi Bou Said, celebrated for its distinctive blue-and-white architecture, has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the organisation announced Saturday.
“New inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Village of Sidi Bou Saïd,” UNESCO said in a social media post after a committee meeting in South Korea.
A popular tourist destination, Sidi Bou Said is renowned for its winding cobbled streets and vibrant bougainvillea. However, its historic charm was threatened by extreme rainfall last winter.
Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs welcomed the decision, describing it as recognition of “the universal exceptional value of Sidi Bou Said as a space of cultural, spiritual and artistic inspiration.”
The village was established in the 18th century around the shrine of Sufi master Sidi Bou Said.
Despite its new status, it continues to face significant challenges, including development pressures and the urgent need for restoration.
