Archaeological Museum of Lamta Remains Closed, Sparking Outrage among Locals and Associations
The Archaeological Museum of Lamta, closed since 2018 for rehabilitation works, remains inaccessible, prompting strong demands from locals and several local associations, including the Association for the Preservation of Lamta's Medina. These organizations are calling for a rapid reopening to preserve and valorize the local heritage.
The third phase of the works, launched in November 2024 with a budget of 160,000 dinars, is struggling to progress due to financial constraints. The first two phases, funded with 150,000 and 100,000 dinars respectively, have been completed, but the restoration of the mosaics, a delicate and costly process, remains a major challenge. According to the Association for the Preservation of Lamta, this delay is due to the lack of qualified labor for this type of work.
During a visit to the construction site on January 8, 2025, the Governor of Monastir, Aïssa Moussa, acknowledged the difficulties encountered and stressed the importance of completing the project in line with citizens' expectations. These issues had already been raised during the visits of former Ministers of Cultural Affairs in 2023 and 2024, with commitments to mobilize the necessary resources to complete the works.
Inaugurated in 1992, the museum is located on the edge of the ancient site of Lepti Minus, by the sea. It features a main building surrounded by a garden containing the remains of Roman thermal baths, including a caldarium and mosaics with geometric and vegetal motifs. The exhibited collections retrace the Punic and Roman past of the region, with sarcophagi, pottery, inscriptions, mosaics, and objects related to Roman trade.
This museum, a true patrimonial treasure, is an essential place for the preservation of Tunisian history. Its reopening would represent an important step towards the valorization of local heritage and the development of tourism in Lamta.
