Architecture and interior decoration Tourbet el Bey

walls in 1 chamber of mausoleum displaying combination of ceramic tiles finely sculpted plaster

the south-west side opens chamber of beys, important chamber in complex, housing tombs of thirteen reigning beys. chamber square, walls fifteen metres long, , replicates proportions of ottoman mosque: 4 large cruciform pillars support large central cupola bulbous in form , flanked 4 demi-cupolas on sides , 4 in corners. other building form in medina of tunis sidi mahrez mosque. intricate decoration of room blends italian, ottoman , local influences; lower parts of walls , pillars covered in panels of polychrome marble marquetry height of 2.5 metres, while finely-sculpted plaster lines caps of cupolas.

the ceilings of mausoleum, either vaults or cupolas, ornamented stucco in geometric or plant designs. of these polychrome, richness of colours denoting rank of people buried in chamber. 1 in particular surprising in architectural form - large oval cupola. walls covered ceramic tiles in orange , yellow hues, of imported italy, particularly naples, while others of local manufacture, qallaline workshops. chamber of reigning beys 1 richly decorated polychrome marble in italian style.