Some words about Mahdia

Mahdia is a resort south of Monastir and southeast of Sousse. The city has a long and tragic history – no wonder why it has many historic attractions too.

Mahdia is one of Tunisia resorts with a population of 37 000. It is located south of Monastir and southeast of Sousse. The city is really old – it was standing here already in times of the Romans and the Phoenicians, but was ruined during the Arab conquest of North Africa. In 921 Mahdia became the capital of Tunisia and for a long time it was the centre for armed conflicts between Cairo’s Caliph and local rulers. The city was regularly attacked by the Nomads, Genoese fleet and armies from Sicily. Subsequently it became the pirates’ “headquarters” and the battlefield for Spanish and Maltese knights. That is why here you will find buildings dated 10th and 11th centuries, such as the strict and ascetic Great Mosque.

The road to the old part of the city – Medina – leads through the huge gates erected in the 16th century. While making a walk around Medina, visitors will see remains of the ancient rampart and a fortress, will visit lighthouse "Cape Africa" and a beautiful sailor’s cemetery where lots of flowers come out in spring. Once a week a colourful market comes to life, where you can buy lots of fish as well as leather, silver and carpets.

For a moment lets have a closer look at Mahdia’s attractions. One of them is the “Cape Tower” fortress, built in the 16th century and located on top of a hill. The tower used to be the French fortress and nowadays it’s a historic monument. From here one can enjoy picturesque views over the cemetery, which stretches to the edge of the cape. The tower’s façade is decorated with mosaic depicting a lion.

Another important landmark is a former mosque Dar el Himma, which has a long a tragic history. The building is renowned for its proportions, which make it a true architecture masterpiece. Now its is a silk museum.

Nowadays this provincial centre accommodates an important and prosperous fishing port and fish-processing premises. However, this is the place where you can still meet sailors and fishermen mending their fishing nets. A few kilometers from Mahdia there are lots of modern luxurious hotels which offer best beaches of Tunisia. Mahdia is a traditionally popular destination for summer vacations, where one can relax and digress from commerce, enjoy rich natural growth, the sun, the sea and sand. At night one can watch an endless picturesque procession of fishing boats, alight with lamps and at daytime you can try fresh fish in one of local inexpensive restaurants.

Mahdia hotels offer an opportunity to do water sports. For instance, there is a diving school found on the territory of the resort. «Cap Mahdia» hotel has a horseriding centre. Convenient location of the city, from which you can easily get to the country’s west, south and north, is excellent for excursions around many interesting Tunisia places. You can also make a train trip to the country’s biggest and most popular resorts, such as Sousse and Monastir, and visit the country’s capital, Tunisia, located 200 km from here.

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