Ennejma Ezzahra
| Ennejma Ezzahra | |
|---|---|
 View of Ennejma Ezzahra | |
 | |
| Alternative names | Nejma Ezzohara |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Sidi Bou Said |
| Country | Tunisia |
| Coordinates | 36°52′09″N 10°20′54″E / 36.86921°N 10.34821°E |
| Construction started | 1909 |
| Completed | 1921 |
| Client | Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger |
Ennejma Ezzahra ("Star of Zahra", sometimes spelled Nejma Ezzohara), is a palace at Sidi Bou Said, in northern Tunisia, built by Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger (1872–1932) as his home there.[1]
It was occupied and looted by the German military during World War II.[1] Further damage was done when allied troops were billeted there later in the war.[1]
Some years after his son Leo Alfred Frédéric d'Erlanger (1898–1978)'s death, Leo's widow, Baroness Edwina d'Erlanger (née Prue; died 1994), sold it to the Tunisian government, and it is now preserved as a museum,[2] with many of its original furnishings, including paintings by the Baron, and a treasure-chest reputedly once owned by Suleiman the Magnificent.[1]
It also house the Centre des Musiques Arabes et Méditerranéennes (Centre for Arabic and Mediterranean Music), for which it acts as a regular concert venue,[3] and which has a collection of historical musical instruments and other objects.
Filming
The house is often used for filming, including the making of Justine, based on Lawrence Durrell's novel of that name.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Cowell, Alan (23 July 1987). "In Tunisia, A Rare Visit To a Palace And Its Owner". New York Times. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ "Association des Musees de la Mediterranee". Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ "CMAM , Center of Arab and Mediterranean Music, Ennejma Ezzahra". Retrieved 4 May 2015.
