Ksar Saïd Palace

[2] It was at the Ksar Saïd palace that Muhammad III Sadiq Bey was compelled to sign the Treaty of Bardo on 12 May 1881, marking the beginning of the French protectorate in Tunisia.

[2] The idea of creating a museum dedicated to the beys of the Muradid (1613–1702) and Husainid (1705–1957) dynasties within the palace was considered after the Tunisian Revolution of 2011.

This syncretism, far from being a mix of genres, constitutes a successful synthesis where diverse styles coexist harmoniously, showcasing the monument's originality and elegance.

This influence is highly noticeable in the interior decoration of the rooms, with walls extensively covered in ceramic tiles mainly imported from Italy.

All paintings on the ceilings are of Italian origin, as are the furniture, hangings, and furnishings, as shown in photographs and postcards from the early 20th century.

The palace of Ksar Saïd houses remarkable collections, with the largest being historical paintings of considerable size representing Tunisian or foreign statesmen and significant events in the country's history.

These paintings bear the signatures of European master painters of the time, including Charles Gleyre, Auguste Moynier, Alexandre Debelle, Charles-Philippe Larivière, Feodor Dietz, and others.

The primary piece remains the 1881 table on which, exactly 83 years apart, the treaty establishing the protectorate and President Habib Bourguiba's decree of 12 May 1964, nationalizing farmlands held by colonists, were signed.