Inside the world's largest mosaic museum - in pictures

  • The collections at the Bardo National Museum in Tunisia chart its diverse history. All photos: Ghaya Ben Mbarek / The National
    The collections at the Bardo National Museum in Tunisia chart its diverse history. All photos: Ghaya Ben Mbarek / The National
  • Artefacts cover themes including mythology, astrology and superstition.
    Artefacts cover themes including mythology, astrology and superstition.
  • Officially opened on May 7, 1888, it is the second largest museum in the African continent.
    Officially opened on May 7, 1888, it is the second largest museum in the African continent.
  • It was originally named the Alaoui museum, after Tunisia’s reigning monarch at the time, Ali Bey.
    It was originally named the Alaoui museum, after Tunisia’s reigning monarch at the time, Ali Bey.
  • The Althiburos room, formerly a music room for Moncef Bey, features mosaics that document the lives of the Punic people from the fourth century.
    The Althiburos room, formerly a music room for Moncef Bey, features mosaics that document the lives of the Punic people from the fourth century.
  • The mosaics are the highlights of the exhibits at the museum.
    The mosaics are the highlights of the exhibits at the museum.
  • The site was renamed as the Bardo National Museum in March 1956.
    The site was renamed as the Bardo National Museum in March 1956.
  • New exhibits include the Roman coin treasure of Thysdrus (now El Jem) that was excavated in 1993.
    New exhibits include the Roman coin treasure of Thysdrus (now El Jem) that was excavated in 1993.
  • 'The museum's most unique feature is the collection of mosaics,' says researcher Zied Khalloufi
    'The museum's most unique feature is the collection of mosaics,' says researcher Zied Khalloufi
  • The Blue Quran papers, among the most famous works of Islamic calligraphy, date back to the 12th century.
    The Blue Quran papers, among the most famous works of Islamic calligraphy, date back to the 12th century.