Zarzis museum

The Zarzis Museum stands as a unique blend of archaeology, anthropology, history, and contemporary lifestyle. It is housed in the former Notre-Dame de la Garde Catholic Church, built in 1920 during the French protectorate. While the city of Zarzis had a limited Christian population during the protectorate, the church remained under military administration until Tunisia gained independence. Consequently, the Archdiocese of Carthage did not see the need to build a church in this remote region, which was under the jurisdiction of the parish of Gabès.

Zarzis Museum, from church to cultural heritage

At first, Zarzis, populated mainly by a few French settlers and small communities such as Maltese and Italian families, did not consider building a church. However, in 1913, Father Gabriel Deshayes arrived and changed the situation. A member of the Congregation of Notre-Dame de Sion, Father Deshayes began his mission of building churches in southern Tunisia. In 1920, he settled in Zarzis and, after purchasing land for 950 francs, embarked on building a church in the local style. Father Deshayes, determined to complete his goal, sold his personal belongings to fund the project. Acting as architect, mason, and quarryman, he oversaw the construction of the church. This new church became a spiritual center for the city, despite Zarzis having only a few Christian families at the time.

After Tunisia gained independence, the church was closed in 1964 as part of an agreement between the Tunisian government and the Vatican. It was transferred to the state under the condition that it would serve public purposes. Over time, the building was transformed into an archaeological and heritage museum, with the bell tower being replaced by a dome. Since its reopening in 2003, the Zarzis Museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of the Zarzis peninsula and the region’s significant archaeological sites. Visitors can explore artifacts and everyday objects that have withstood the test of time. The museum showcases items from the Carthaginian period, including a Punic epitaph-bearing amphora retrieved from a shipwreck and a wooden sarcophagus dating back to the 4th century BC. Ultimately, the museum provides insight into the civilizations that thrived in Tunisia, highlighting discoveries from various archaeological sites on the Zarzis peninsula.