Heritages and Museums

The Gabes museum occupies the premises of a historical monument, a school dating to the Muradite period at the end of the XVIIth century. It consists of a proper complex with a wing devoted to religious teaching, a mosque and a residence for students. The complex is harmonious, both sober and elegant at the same time. Close by is another historical monument: the zawiya – mausoleum of the patron saint of the town, Sidi Boulebaba al-Ansari, who came from Arabia with the first wave of Moslem conquerors. As for the content of the museum, it reflects life in the oasis through four main themes: Domestic crafts, weddings, food and agriculture. The museum also contains a few archaeological pieces: capitals, stone inscriptions, funerary urns etc.

Museum in Tamezret is probably the best little museum ,a very friendly and knowledgeable host, who will give you a tour around the cave dwelling. He is obviously very passionate about Berber history and will show you how to write your name in Berber!! No entrance ticket. Just a voluntary donation at the end or you can buy some of the souvenirs which are well made and a refreshing change to the usual. Absolutely no pressure from the host to buy or donate, but you will want to support his effort. The village of Tamezret is fabulous and original. This museum is the result of the hard and dedicated work of a single man. If you are lucky, you will meet the man.

Sidi Boulbaba Mosque is a grave mosque found in Gabès. Sidi Boulbaba is the name of the man that was buried there. He arrived in Gabès in the 7th century and was highly revered at this time because he had been a close companion of the Prophet Mohammed- he was the Prophet’s barber. His mosque today is Gabès oldest and most important religious monument. Sidi Boulbaba is a saint and the site of his grave attracts a number of pilgrims to the area. He is now also the patron saint of Gabès due to the fact that when he first arrived in the 7th century, he was able to bring peace and cooperation to the area amongst groups and tribes that had previously been at war. Together, once war was over, the area was able to achieve prosperity. The village, today now a neighborhood of Gabès, was named after him and initially non-Muslims were not allowed to enter the village. Today anyone can walk through the neighborhood and non-Muslims can go into the courtyard of the mosque, but they are not allowed to enter the prayer hall where his tomb lies. Other than the grave of Sidi Boulbaba, the other highlight of the mosque is its courtyard which has colonnades and is decorated with many tiles.

Military Museum of the Mareth is the defensive line of Mareth is located in southern Tunisia in the region of Mareth-Toujane in the governorate of Gabes and extends over 45kms. The line connecting the sea to the mountains of Matmata played an important role in the progress of operations during the Tunisian campaign from November 1942 to May 1943. These are the French forces that built this defensive line to face a possible attack in Tunisia by Italian forces from Libya, then Italian colony. But after the French defeat in 1940 and the occupation by the Germans French territory, this defensive line was demilitarized in 1942 and eventually reset by the German-Italian forces. With this rearmament and strengthening the Mareth line has become a difficult obstacle to overcome. And it is in March 1943, the Battle of Mareth raged. The forces involved in this battle were of the order of 240 000 men, 900 tanks, 1150 artillery pieces, 1500 anti-tank guns and 650 planes … This battle ended on March 28, 1943 after the success of the British forces of which had bypassed the line of Mareth. It is this historical evidence reveals that this museum with a short film of 15 minutes archives, arms exposed, models.