Vincci Nour Palace Resort

The Ribat Of Harthema

by cheekymarieh

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.

Great Mosque.

by euzkadi

After visiting the Ribad we were taken to visit the Great Mosque (the building was built in the ninth century and enlarged by the Zirids in the 11th century) but it was closed. The building is quite dissapointing specially after visiting the Mosque of Kairouan.

Monastir

by MelanieBee

"Shopping"

Most shops in the medina sell the same quality and variety of souvenirs with a lot of pestering and hassling. I recommend the Yasmine centre which is a hassle and haggle free shop with much better quality goods.

If you are browsing along the streets of the medina, look out for the tortoises on sale... look but don't buy!