Dar El Kamila, Ottoman palace in La Marsa, Tunisia.
Dar El Kamila is a palace in La Marsa featuring marble floors, stucco vaults, polychrome tiles, and wooden beamed ceilings across its many connected rooms. The building spreads over three hectares of gardens near the Mediterranean coast and includes multiple wings with different architectural periods.
The building was constructed in 1800 as Borj Monastiri and received its current name from French consul Léon Roches in 1857. It subsequently served as the French ambassador's residence for many years.
The architecture blends Ottoman, Italian, and Southern Tunisian styles, visible in the carved wooden details and traditional fountain designs throughout the grounds. Visitors can observe how these different influences came together in the building's decoration and layout.
The palace is located near La Marsa Plage railway station and Parc Saada bus stop, making it accessible by public transport. Being right on the Mediterranean coast, it works well as part of a broader visit to the waterfront area.
A 1950s wing contains an indoor swimming pool lit by natural light, a modern addition to this historical building. The dining hall features broad brick domes that show how later additions were integrated with the older architecture.
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