Mezri

The Medina

by cheekymarieh

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.

Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba

by Willettsworld

Tunisia's first president Habib Bourguiba was born in Monastir and this mausoleum was built in 1963 so that he could be buried here after his death (which happened in 2000). It is reached via a long paved walked flanked by trees on either side and two octagonal pavilions at its entrance. The mausoleum features gold and green cupolas and two slender 25m (82ft) high minarets that are built from Italian marble. Inside lies his tomb which can also be viewed from a balcony. Other family tombs are also housed within the mausoleum. Admission into the mausoleum is free and more photo's can be found in my travelogues.

Monastir, Tunisia

by SWFC_Fan

"Monastir, Tunisia"

Monastir is located on the east coast of Tunisia, close to the city of Sousse.

Monastir has a population of around 80,000 people and contains an international airport.

It is widely regarded as the cleanest town in Tunisia - the result of large amounts of public money being spent on the town during the reign of Habib Bourguiba, who was born in Monastir, and is buried in the mausoleum there.

Unfortunately, my visit there in February 2003 coincided with a heavy rainstorm, so my overriding memory of Monastir is one of dark skies and unrelenting rain!