Monastir

History

Monastir forms part, with Kairouan and Sousse, of the first Arab colonies founded in Ifriqiya, It is built on the ruins of the old city punico - Roman of Ruspina.

The Ribat of Monastir is set up on order of the Abbasid Caliph Haroun rear-Rachid in 796 like means of defense against the attacks of the Byzantine fleet in the Mediterranean. It represents, with the ribat of Sousse, one of the two most important fortresses of the coast of the Sahel. According to messages concerned with the history local and dating from the beginning of the 10th century, it is a merit to remain in this ribat known under the name of Grande fortress . A three days on-call service in Monastir guarantees to each one a place with the Paradis. Indeed, according to the local tradition, Mahomet would have declared that Monastir was one of the doors leading to the paradise. The fortress was perceived, as well among the combatants as among the ascetics, like a place of Pèlerinage and Méditation for religious holidays like the Achoura or the Ramadan.

With the upper floor of the south-eastern wing small a Mosquée was sheltering a Mihrab. It is used today as Musée where objects are exposed coming from the area as well as Kairouan.

Left for account at the time of the French Protectorate in Tunisia, Monastir finds its statute, while becoming the Chef-lieu governorship of the same name, because it is the birthplace of the new president Habib Bourguiba who made there thereafter build a Mausolée as well as a presidential palace near the city. The Mosquée Bourguiba is set up in its honor and the international airport of Monastir also bears its name.

Monastir is today an important university town, the students representing a fifth of the population. With Sousse and Sfax, the city became thanks to its port a point of transshipment for the market of the Olive oil. It is also, since the Années 1960, one of the most important centers of the Tunisian tourist sector, in particular for its Seaside resort of Skanès.

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