Bourguiba Mausoleum

Monastir

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DESTINATIONS tunisia monastir Do & See Bourguiba Mausoleum

Bourguiba Mausoleum

This majestic mausoleum dedicated to the 'Father of Modern Tunisia' Habib Bourguiba is decked out from top to bottom with white marble and decorative touches of emerald green, making it gleam in the hot sun of Monastir. The two towers poised on either side of the entrance to the tomb resemble the minarets of a typical Maghreb mosque. Indeed, most of the architecture that was designed by French architect Olivier Clement Cacoub bears a strong resemblance to traditional Islamic places of worship. Inside the mausoleum lies the Tunisian president of the 1960s, encased in an ornate marble sarcophagus which can be viewed up close on the ground floor or from above by accessing the balcony through an unassuming door to the right of the main entrance. Although it is free to enter the mausoleum, some may prefer to gain further insight into the history of the building by booking a tour from one of the licensed tour operators in the main city. It is inadvisable to hire the services of those guides operating within or beside the grounds of the mausoleum as most are unqualified. Opening times may vary and if the main entrance is closed, visitors can enter through a separate entrance on the other side of the building.

Useful Information

Address: Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba, Monastir
Opening House: April through October: daily 9am–5:30pm. November through March: daily 9am–4pm
More Info: Free Entry
More Info: www.facebook.com/pages/Bourguiba%20mausoleum/963347720454910/

Do & See

The marriage between historically significant architecture and modern touristic facilities makes Monastir a great destination amongst travellers seeking a relaxing and fun beach holiday with a side serving of tradition and culture. Perched on the waterfront lies the main historical attraction of Monastir, The Ribat. The impressive golden-topped Bourguiba Mosque is just a stone's throw away, surrounded by meticulously designed parks and several important landmarks. Head out of the city to experience the desert in all its glory or stroll down the seemingly endless beach to get a sense of the city when it was emerging as a fishing port during the collapse of the Roman Empire.

Ribat

Considered the main attraction in Monastir and the best place to get a glimpse of ancient Tunisia, the Ribat built in 796 has been periodically renovated and reinforced to maintain its integrity and striking appearance. The oldest part of this defensive stronghold is situated around the lookout tower, which was built to locate enemy …

Bourguiba Mausoleum

Bourguiba Mausoleum

This majestic mausoleum dedicated to the 'Father of Modern Tunisia' Habib Bourguiba is decked out from top to bottom with white marble and decorative touches of emerald green, making it gleam in the hot sun of Monastir. The two towers poised on either side of the entrance to the tomb resemble the minarets of …

Bourguiba Mosque

Bourguiba Mosque

Built in 1963 to commemorate Tunisia's first president Habib Bourguiba, this colourful mosque demonstrates typical Tunisian religious architecture complete with pink marble pillars and golden mosaics which are exquisitely preserved. The impressive prayer room which is the focal point of the mosque can take up to one thousand visitors and is often busy with …

Sousse

In case there wasn't enough to do in Monastir, the next port up has plenty to offer in the way of rare archaeological finds and exciting history which can be discovered in the Sousse Archaeological Museum or the Museum Dar Essid. The city of Sousse, similar to Monastir, exhibits some important ancient structures that …

Ribat Museum

Once a prayer hall, the Ribat Museum showcases a varied collection of traditional fabrics and objects such as coins, jewellery and pottery that will transport visitors back to a time when Islamic art was highly coveted the world over. It also displays an astrolabe (a device which measures the distance between stars) dating all …

Monastir Museum of Folk Arts & Traditions

Monastir Museum of Folk Arts & Traditions

This small but pleasantly decorated museum gives insight into the traditional clothing and jewellery of both the Tunisian and Berber peoples. Stop in briefly and learn about the intricate designs of Monastir through the years. The Museum of Folk Arts & Traditions is located near the Bourguiba Mosque and is a nice, easy, inexpensive …

Marina

This is the place for diving, fishing, windsurfing, sailing and just about any other water sport out there. The Marina is right beside the Ribat and a luxury hotel resort which peers over the crystal clear water on the other side towards the beach. Sauntering along the marina is especially enjoyable at sunset when …

Beach Life

White sand and turquoise water are the key ingredients to Monastir's beaches. The most obvious choice would be to head straight to Karaia (Qaraiya) beach, which is one of the focal points of the city. However, it does get very busy in high season. For those willing to venture a little further afield for …

Desert Adventure

Desert Adventure

To really get a deeper understanding of the area, head inland towards the golden sand dunes that are home to a myriad of hidden treasures. One not-so-hidden treasure is the amphitheatre of El Jem which was a set for the film Gladiator and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its …

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