Al-Qurayyah beach in Monastir, Tunisia
Monastir's setting inspires thoughts of abundant sunshine and palms swaying in the breeze coming off the Mediterranean Sea. But, as with many areas on Tunisia's central coast, cities originally sprang up for strategic reasons, rather than recreational ones. Sunbathing was not likely to be a top concern when the settlement of Ruspina was established. The ancient city was reportedly the first in the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis to support Julius Caesar during his civil war against Pompey. Monastir was later built among the ruins of Ruspina and prospered as a fishing village. A large defensive fort, the Ribat of Monastir, was completed in 796. It stands to this day – we're looking out over Al-Qurayyah beach from the ribat's tower.
It was the place where Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" and Monty Python's "Life of Brian" were filmed: It is recommended to watch the latter right before or after the visit to appreciate the location in a different way.
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