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"Mahdia - Tunisia's secret" a Mahdia Travel Page by Willettsworld

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"Mahdia - Tunisia's secret" a Mahdia Travel Page by Willettsworld

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Willettsworld   
"Don't listen to what they say. Go see." ~ Chinese proverb


Real Name: Glyn Willett
Lives In: Welwyn Garden City, UK
Member Since: Apr 22, 2005
VT Rank: 273

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Page Views: 921            Last Visit to Mahdia: January, 2008      

Mahdia - Tunisia's secret

by Willettsworld - last update: Mar 1, 2008

Stormy sky over Mahdia
Mahdia lies in a sheltered situation on a small rocky peninsula, 1.5km (1 mile) long and barely 500m (550yds) across, which is linked with the mainland only by a narrow isthmus. It's located 68km (42 miles) southeast of Sousse and 20km (12 miles) northeast of El Jem. I came here one afternoon after visiting nearby Monastir.

Its name comes from Mahdi ('the well directed') in Arabic, nickname of Obaid Allah, the chief of the Fatimids. It was founded as a fortified port in 916 AD which was incorporated into massive walls, 10m thick, that once surrounded the whole peninsula, the remains of which can still be seen today. It was abandoned in 947 AD and was settled by inhabitants of nearby villages. It the 15th century, Spanish troops of Charles Quint seized Mahdia and it was then plundered, in the 17th century by the knights of Malta who set fire to the town. Mahdia is very small with only a few attractions so it doesn't take long to walk around and seem them all.
Skifa el-Kahla - Black Gate
Fishing boats in the Fatimid Port

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Willettsworld's Mahdia Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 14 - Photos: 45
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
TransportationLocal Customs
 
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Tips: 1 - Photos: 1

Willettsworld's Mahdia Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Museum - Part 1January, 2008 8
Museum - Part 2January, 2008 8

Comments for Willettsworld about Mahdia
JLBG Mon Jun 29, 2009 20:36 UTC
 You have visited Mahdia extensively and you have seen much more than I did! The unknown mosque might be Suleïman Hamza mosque

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