Bourguiba Mausoleum

Habib Bourguiba, who led Tunisia to independence in 1956 and was its first president, was born in Monastir and buried here in 2000. His mausoleum, begun in 1963 during his lifetime, stands at the end of a long esplanade in the Sidi El Mezeri cemetery, next to the Ribat. The building is marked by a gilded central dome flanked by two slender minarets and smaller green domes. Inside, beneath the dome, is his marble tomb, and side rooms display personal belongings such as clothes, glasses and documents. The esplanade and surrounding cemetery give good views of the building.