 | Monastir Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 44 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (44) The mausoleum is fairly modern construction began in 1963, and was designed by Bourgiba himself before he died in 2000 - hmm a bit eerie to choose your own burial place do you think?
The guide books will probably say its not open to visits ..but turn right at the main gates and follow the path round to a side entrance where you are sure to find a couple of guides who will be delighted to show you round for the usual dinar tip. |
"Ribat" means fortresses, typical of those built in major cities along the southern coast of the Mediterranean, forming a defence line that stretched from Morocco to Egypt to protect the Muslim empire from invasions. Monastir's Ribat is the oldest and most important of it's kind in the Maghreb - it was built in 796, from an idea conceived by the famous oriental architect Zakaria Ibn Al Kadem. The original construction, covering 1300 square meters, was enlarged a century later to 2200 square meters and had it's area doubled by the 11th century. Of course it has been modified over the years and was alsobombarded by the French in 1770, triggering a decision by the sovereign "Hammouda Bey" to fortify the coastal defence lines. Monastir's Ribat was then transformed into a Kasbah and became an almost impregnable fortress. It recent times it has been used as a film setting - Monty Python's "The Life of Brian" and today it is used a s place of culture. Great views can be had from its watchtower over the town of Monastir. |
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Monastir is the birth town of former president Habib Bourguiba and thus he is remebered in this mosque which contains his mausoleum. Habib Bourguiba was the first president of Tunisia, and although he never was elected by the people in free elections, he is generally considered as the father of modern Tunisia. Bourguiba died in 2000, and was buried here. |
The Ribat ( meaning garrison, the place ) was a part of the fortification system built in 8th century on north Africa cost from Morroco to Egypt as a protection from Byzanthine.
Ribat in Monastir is one of the oldest ones in Tunisia and dates back to 797 by government Hirthima.
In 10th century the religious function of Ribat became more important than the military one.
Again you can climb the watchtower. Leave a Comment |
The mausoleum in Monastir is the burial place of the town's most famous son - Habib Bourguiba.
Bourguiba was born in Monastir in 1903, and served as President of Tunisia from 1953 until 1987.
The mausoleum has a very impressive appearance with white towers and gold domes, decorated arches and tiled floors. It is also possible to go inside the mausoleum which is equally as ornate as the exterior.
A long paved walkway leads up to the mausoleum and entry is free. Leave a Comment |
The marina is a picturesque area where there are lots of yachts berthed. There are shops - a supermarket, several gifts shops, restaurants, cafes, apartments and a hotel. This is the spot where you will find tourists and locals alike wandering up and down the promenade or sitting in the cafes.
It is the perfect spot to just sit and people watch sitting in one of the cafes. There are one or two establishments around the marina that advertise the fact that they sell alcohol. Such places aren't as numerous as in non-Muslim countries. Leave a Comment Address: Boulevard Hédi Nouira, PO.Box 60, 5000 MonastirPhone: + 216 73 462 305Directions: Close to the Ribat and the Bourguiba MausoleumWebsite: www.marinamonastir.com Other Contact: capitaineriemonastir@topnet.tn |
The medina is the ancient heart of the city of Monastir. It is bordered by rue d'Alger, avenue Bourguiba and avenue des Martyrs. Inside the Medina there are many sores where you have to haggle before you make your purchases. Many of the stores have some tacky products aimed at the tourists but there are some excellent spots where you can buy spices and more authentic products.
Some of the medina was destroyed to make way for modernisation of the city and then afterwards there have been some less than authentic additions to the architecture, particularly the area close to the Bourguiba statue and Monoprix supermarket. Leave a Comment Address: south of rue d'AlgerDirections: It is centrally located close to the ribat and the coast. |
The ribat overlooks the nearby beach. It's earliest construction dates back to 796AD but it has been rebuilt several times after various attacks. Experts find it diifciult to put dates on some of the parts of the construction. Some of the oldest parts are the southern walls which date back to the 9th century while the more recent parts were built in the 18th and 19th century.It was the first ribat in Tunisia that allowed women professors and students .
Inside there is a museum with displays of ancient Islamic writings, pottery and other artefacts. There is a map of the original medina on display which shows the impact modernisation has had on the original structure of the city.
Open daily: April-mid Sept 8am-7pm, mid-Sept to March 8.30am-5.30pm
Admission: 2.1 dinar with an additional 1 dinar charge for cameras.
If you think the ribat looks familiar, it may well be the case. It has been used as the Jerusalem in the film Jesus of Nazareth and also in the Monty Python film, The Life Of Brian.
From the top of the ramparts there are some excellent views of the town and the coast. Leave a Comment Address: Route de la CornicheDirections: Overlooking the main beach of the town, close to the marina. |
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The statue is dedicated to the schoolboy Habib Bourguiba who was born in the city and raised here during his childhood days. It is located close to the town hall in a small park where the school that Bourguiba was formerly situated.
You can't fail to miss this tribute to the former president of the country. Leave a Comment Address: Em TrimecheDirections: Close to the government buildings on the corner of Em Trimeche and Av Habib Bourgiba |
Built in 9th century and then reconstructured in 11th century this is the main mosque of Monastir. Leave a Comment Directions: just next to Ribat, from its south side |
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