Monastir is another old town that dates back to the Phoenixians, but what we came to see is its Ribat (fort) that has been the set of numerous films. Having been acquainted with Vauban forts in France, the Ribat was rather refreshing. As the place is highly irregular, it's easy to see why it would be popular for filming. A second claim to fame for Monastir is being the birthplace and mausoleum of the first president of the republic, Habib Bourguiba, as if he threw out the French just to install himself at the top of the old hierarchy.
Mahdia seems to be rather oblivious about its antiquities as long as the beautiful sea draws tourists to the resorts north of town, and the bountiful sea supplies the fishing industry. Mahdia was a Phoenician settlement. Its harbor is clearly discernible. The Fatimids fortified the place in the 900s, whose massive gate remains, and used it as a base for conquering Egypt, and subsequently found Cairo and moved there. Mahdia fell into obscurity thereafter, but not enough to avoid attacks by Normans and Spainards which left the medina wall-less, save for the gate. History is more interesting than being on the ground in-person.
Pulling out of the station headed to Monastir. Embedded video below link here.
There is a large salt works just south of Sousse. Look close at left to see a stream of salt pouring off the conveyor belt.
Upon arriving at Monastir we headed straight to the Ribat and up the tower, and on the ramparts, for views all around of land and sea.
The monumental tomb of Habib Bourguiba.
After getting a snack, we rode the train farther south to Mahdia, a fishing village on a narrow peninsula.
The medina gate is more like a tunnel.
The old Phoenician Port.
We were lucky to see some fisherman at work, puttin out and taking in their nets, while we were walking on the northside promenade.
The train ride home. We saw several large groups of flamingos in the shallow waters but I did not get a photo.
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