Monastir

Monastir - a resort town on the Mediterranean coast. Tourist, first arrived in Monastir, probably immediately struck a combination of grand avenues and buildings from the provincial character of this small town. This apparent contradiction is explained simply: Monastir - this hometown of the first president of independent Tunisia - Habib Bourguiba. In the 60's to 10 percent of the state budget was spent on the development of Tunisia Monastir. Here were built wide avenues, beautiful area, which would have done credit to any metropolitan city, congress halls, a magnificent promenade and picturesque marina . The city was built on a grand scale, "with room for growth." The central square Monastir rises majestic mausoleum of President Habib Bourguiba. Monastir - is a favorite place of work and rest for the American producer George Lucas. The first series of the cycle of Indiana Jones filming in the studio in a suburb of Monastir. A few early episodes of "Star Wars" - a little further south, in the Matmata - the underground city troglodytes. District Monastir - the perfect place to relax at sea. There are a lot of places for walking, weight cozy restaurants and bars, souvenir shops. However, the nightlife here is not as vigorous as the resorts of Sousse and Hammamet. Monastir is located on the coast 24 kilometers south of the resort town of Sousse. From the north to the resort area adjacent Monastir Skanes, which is located next to the airport of Monastir. President Habib Bourguiba - main international airport in the region. Like most modern cities in Tunisia, Monastir is on the site of the ancient Phoenician city - a colony founded in V century BC. In the modern name of the city feel the influence of Christianity. The fact is that in the V century AD, the Byzantines built a strong fortress here to protect the commercial port. The garrison of the fortress were warrior-monks, whom he called by the word of Greek origin - "monaster. So there is a new name of the city. On the ensuing period of Arab history in Monastir still resembles an old fort Ribat and the so-called "Medina" - a medieval Arab city with city wall, which now are trade stalls, cafes and restaurants. P>