In the city of Monastir on the territory of the medieval ribat there is the Mausoleum of Bourguiba - the tomb of the famous political figure and the first president of the state of Tunisia. It was Habib Bourguiba in 1956 achieved the independence of Tunisia, a year later became president and was in this position for 30 years! This man played an important role in the history of the state, for which he is so loved by the locals.
Construction of the Mausoleum began in 1963 in the western part of the ribat, when part of the cemetery Sidi El Mezri was allocated for the construction of the tomb of the first president and his family. Habib Bourguiba's Mausoleum is approached by a wide avenue lined with colourful marble tiles and planted with trees and bushes.
In front of the entrance to the Mausoleum are two minarets with golden domes, near which begins an elegant colonnade topped with a green roof. The height of each minaret is 25 metres, so that they can be seen from the very beginning of the alley.
Above the main building of the Mausoleum rises a golden ribbed dome on an octagonal drum, and a little away from it three green domes can be seen. They are crowned with gilded crescents. The tomb itself, which houses the sarcophagus containing the body of the president, is decorated with coloured marble, stone carvings, tiles, ceramics and gold. The side buildings with green domes house Bourguiba's relatives - his parents and wife.
Next to the main building of the Mausoleum is the Habib Bourguiba Museum. It houses photographs, important documents and personal belongings of the president.
Habib Bourguiba's Mausoleum has served as the setting for many historical films about the Orient.
