Wetland Museum of Ghar El Melh (Dar El Bhira) | Bizerte

The Wetland Museum of Ghar El Melh (Musée des Zones Humides de Ghar El Melh) is a unique institution in Tunisia, located in the small coastal town of Ghar El Melh, in the Bizerte Governorate, about 60 kilometers northwest of Tunis. This museum is dedicated to the ecological, historical, and cultural importance of wetlands, particularly focusing on the nearby Ghar El Melh Lagoon, a Ramsar-protected site.

Historical Context and Location

The museum is housed in Borj El Loutani, a 17th-century Ottoman fort built in 1659 during the rule of Yusuf Dey. This fortress originally served military functions and was later used as a prison until 1964. Restoration of the site began in the 1990s, and the museum officially opened on April 25, 2013, as part of a collaboration between Tunisia’s environmental agencies and international conservation groups.

Borj El Loutani is located near the edge of the lagoon and the town’s historic port. The location is of symbolic and strategic importance—it links the military, ecological, and maritime legacies of the region.

Purpose and Educational Mission

The Wetland Museum aims to raise awareness of the ecological value of wetlands, promote environmental education, and foster a sense of conservation among both local communities and visitors. Its focus extends beyond Ghar El Melh, representing Tunisia’s vast and diverse wetland systems, which include lakes, lagoons, marshes, and river deltas.

The museum also serves as a scientific and cultural center, hosting students, environmentalists, and tourists who are interested in sustainability, biodiversity, and the relationship between humans and aquatic ecosystems.

Exhibitions and Layout

The museum is spread over two main exhibition halls and includes outdoor interpretation panels.

First Exhibition Hall – Wetland Systems and Biodiversity

Geographic overview of wetlands: Maps and models showing the distribution of wetlands in Tunisia and across the Mediterranean.

Wetland types: Displays explaining coastal lagoons, salt marshes, seasonal lakes, and reed beds.

Migratory birds: Panels with life-size models, photos, and information on bird species using Ghar El Melh as a stopover or breeding site, including flamingos, herons, and storks.

Flora and fauna: Specimens and dioramas of fish, amphibians, mollusks, and aquatic plants.

Irrigation heritage: A model of the ancient water distribution system of Ibn Chabbat, an important hydraulic engineer from southern Tunisia, is featured here.

Second Exhibition Hall – Cultural and Local Heritage

Focus on Ghar El Melh lagoon: Details the site's importance as a Ramsar wetland since 2007 and its ecological richness.

Corsair legacy: An immersive installation shaped like a small pirate ship shows the town’s maritime history, when it served as a base for privateers in the Ottoman era.

Traditional fishing techniques: Old tools, photos, and models explain fishing methods such as "charfia" (a technique using palm-frond fish traps).

Sustainable farming: Panels discuss local agricultural adaptations to wetland conditions, including salt-tolerant crops and organic techniques.

Outdoor Interpretation Path

A series of panels and signposts located just outside the museum guide visitors around the lagoon’s edge, highlighting:

Birds in their natural habitat

Lagoon water quality

Local conservation efforts

Risks from urbanization and pollution

Activities and Programs

School and university visits: The museum regularly hosts guided tours and workshops for students, particularly on World Wetlands Day (February 2).

Community outreach: Programs for local fishermen and farmers promote sustainable practices.

Workshops and temporary exhibits: Occasionally, it hosts artistic or scientific exhibitions focused on climate, biodiversity, or local crafts.

Significance of Ghar El Melh Lagoon

Recognized by UNESCO as part of its Man and the Biosphere Reserve program.

Added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 2007.

Home to more than 200 bird species, including globally threatened migratory species.

Threatened by pollution, habitat degradation, and illegal construction—issues actively addressed in museum content.

Practical Information

Address: Borj El Loutani, Old Port of Ghar El Melh, Bizerte Governorate

Opening Hours: Vary by season and staffing; best visited during mornings or early afternoons. Some reports suggest limited hours, so calling ahead locally is advisable.

Entry Fee: Typically free or symbolic (under 1 Tunisian dinar).

Accessibility: Partial wheelchair access; main halls are flat, but some fortress stairs are steep and uneven.

Languages: Exhibits in Arabic and French, some with English translations.

Visiting Experience

The museum provides a peaceful and educational atmosphere, with a view over the lagoon and a strong connection to the town’s heritage.

Most visitors find it well-organized and especially rewarding for families, students, and nature enthusiasts.

While relatively small, the museum is a pioneering project in Tunisia, combining environmental education with cultural preservation.

A visit to the Wetland Museum can be paired with walks along the lagoon, visits to the Ghar El Melh medina, and stops at nearby beaches. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of ecology, history, and traditional livelihoods in Tunisia.