| Reviews and photos of Monastir attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Monastir sightseeing. Monastir Map |
 | Monastir Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 68 |  |
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.
|
Visiting Monastir?
Read reviews about Monastir Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
"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.
|
 | |  |
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
|
Visiting Monastir?
Read reviews about Monastir Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
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
|
 Part of the reconstructed
medina walls by cheekymarieh
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.
|
 Tunisia, Monastir, Great
Mosque by ChildishLeave a Comment Directions: just next to Ribat, from its south side
|
 Ribat by cheekymarieh
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.
|
| | |
 Tunisia, Monastir, Habib
Bourguiba Mosque by Childish, 4 more photosLeave a Comment
|
|
More Monastir Travel Deals 5 Star Luxury Getaway
The Luxury Royal Hideaway Playacar. Fall Offer-Stay 4 nights, Pay for 2 Hotels in Hammamet
Book a hotel in Hammamet online. All hotels with special offers. Luxury Hotel
Plan the perfect escape at Marriott Hotels. Search resorts & packages. Sponsored Links - Ruspina Hotel
Skanès, Monastir - Occidental Grand Monastir
Skanes ex. Occidental Grand Monastir, Monastir - Skanes El Hana
5000 Skanes, Monastir - Hotel Rosa Beach
Societe Immobiliere et Touris Skanes, Monastir - Skanes Rivage Monastir
Monastir 5060, Tunisia, Monastir - Skanes Beach Hotel
Zone Touristique Dkhila, Monastir - Hotel Thalassa Monastir
BP 61 - Aeroport Skanes, Monastir - Coralia Club Palm Beach Sousse
Boulevard 7 Novembre, Monastir - Coralia Club
Route Touristique Dkhila Skanes, Monastir - Tryp Golf Residence Hotel
Touristic Zone, Monastir - Amir Palace
MONASTIR Route Touristique, Monastir - Sol El Mouradi Skanes
(formerly Sol El Mouradi Skanes) Zone Touristique Skanes, Monastir - Abou Nawas Hotel
B.P.70 La Dkhila, Monastir - Hotel Saadia
, Monastir, 5000, Tunisia, Monastir - Calimera Thalassa Village Skanes
RouteTouristique, BP 61, Monastir
|
