Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
It’s hard to believe these replicas aren’t actually edible.
Sampuru Shops of Kappabashi Street
The Taskmaster’s House
POST Houston
Golden Age Collectables
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Solo travel can be challenging and sometimes lonely, but it also often leads to the greatest adventures.
Dear Atlas: How Do I Unplug on a Solo Trip?
about 4 hours ago
Museum of Friends
The Art in This Museum Was Donated for Free
about 4 hours ago
Grasshopper Chapel and grounds.
How the Rocky Mountain Locust Plague Spawned Federal Disaster Relief
1 day ago
The Guy Bradley Visitor Center at Flamingo in Everglades National Park.
America’s First Game Warden Died Fighting for the Birds
1 day ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Tunisia Biggest Jar in the World

Biggest Jar in the World

This jar honors the role that pottery has played in this Tunisian village over the past millennia.

Guellala, Tunisia

Added By
Max Cortesi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Biggest Jar in the World   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Biggest Jar in the World   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Guellala.   Hegor
Biggest Jar in the World   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Biggest Jar in the World   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Guellala is a village of about 10,000 people located on the southern coast of the Island of Djerba. All around the village are deposits of grey clay. Predictably, pottery played a vital role in the development of this village, so much so that even the name “Guellala” comes either from “goulla” (jar) or “gallal” (potter).

When and how pottery was first developed in the region is unknown, but it likely dates back to prehistory. Wheat, lentils, dates, and olive oil are staples in the Amazigh diet, and jars, tanks, and pots provide the best solution for their storage. 

The pottery industry in Guellala experienced huge growth when the territory of the Roman Empire extended all along North Africa. It's documented that large clay containers from Djerba were used to transport olive oil to Rome, where the oil was often burned in lamps for light.  

The type of clay jars and their use may have changed through the centuries, but pottery is still driving the economy in this village. Nowadays, the main use of these products is ornamental, and the main customers are tourists. To fulfill the demand, shops are filled with jars of different sizes and shapes. Some jars may emphasize aesthetics over practicality, but there is no shortage of traditional jars

To honor the region's bond with pottery, Guellala commissioned one of the biggest jars in the world. It required more than three tons of clay and 1,850 hours of labor over 13 months, but the "Biggest Jar in the World" was finally unveiled in December 2003. 

Whether this is still the biggest jar in the world, is a matter of contention, depending on variables such as the type of jar and the material it is made of. It is, however, a sight to behold.

Related Tags

Sculptures History & Culture Art
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Tunisia: The Sahara, Mosaics & Star Wars Relics

A Sahara journey through ancient oases, diverse culture, & delicious cuisine.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Max Cortesi

Published

March 15, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Biggest Jar in the World
Guellala
Tunisia
33.72842, 10.856446

Nearby Places

'Djerbahood'

Hara Sghira Er Riadh, Tunisia

miles away

Hotel Sidi Driss

Matmatat-Al-Qadimal, Tunisia

miles away

Matmata Underground Houses

Matmatat-Al-Qadimal, Tunisia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tunisia

Tunisia

Africa

Places 19
Stories 2

Nearby Places

'Djerbahood'

Hara Sghira Er Riadh, Tunisia

miles away

Hotel Sidi Driss

Matmatat-Al-Qadimal, Tunisia

miles away

Matmata Underground Houses

Matmatat-Al-Qadimal, Tunisia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tunisia

Tunisia

Africa

Places 19
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Waiting for Poe

    Westford, Massachusetts

    'Waiting for Poe'

    This sculpture memorializes the town's connection to the famous horror author Edgar Allan Poe.

  • Dama Ibérica

    Valencia, Spain

    Dama Ibérica

    This sculpture in Valencia features 22,000 tiny, obsidian blue figures that pay homage to the Lady of Elche.

  • America, America is a modernist sculpture by artist Barbara Neijna found along Tampa’s Riverwalk.

    Tampa, Florida

    'America, America'

    This sculpture is one of many stunning features along Tampa’s Riverwalk.

  • Easterhouse Phoenix

    Glasgow, Scotland

    Easterhouse Phoenix

    This remarkable sculpture symbolizes the regeneration in this Glasgow suburb.

  • 'Save Iraqi Culture'

    Baghdad, Iraq

    'Save Iraqi Culture'

    A surreal monument depicting a five-armed giant supporting a toppling cylinder seal.

  • The statue, ‘Gzim och den frusna sjön’ (‘Gzim and the Frozen Lake’),  capturing the moment the boy learned he would be deported.

    Skellefteå, Sweden

    'Gzim och den frusna sjön' ('Gzim and the Frozen Lake')

    A sculpture capturing the emotional moment when a refugee boy realizes he is about to be deported.

  • Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day

    Qatar

    'Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day'

    An art installation that will challenge your understanding of reality and perception.

  • David Livingstone Statue

    Blantyre, Scotland

    David Livingstone Statue

    The only statue ever crafted by award-winning animator Ray Harryhausen.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.