Monastir, Few things exist of its ancient past. But, we do know its ancient name: Ruspina, the Latin version of the Pheonician Rouss pena. Does the actual name Monastir have some connection to the word monastery, meaning convent It is probable.

  What is certain is that the city originated as a ribat (a fortress inhabited by monk-soldiers) built by Harthama in 796 following the orders of the Caliph of Baghdad Haroun ar-Rachid, who was the first in a series that came from Alexandria in Egypt and went on to Ceuta in Morocco. "Holding a garrison consents the entrance to Paradise" comments a hadith; Monastir is one of the gates to Paradise" says another. Did this ribat, inhabited by the monk — soldiers who defended the coasts from the Byzantines, perhaps called "monasterium" by the ancient African populations, give the name to the city lying at its feet and under its protection It is probable. Today, Monastir is a large purist city where, along with its beaches and luxurious hotels, one admires the ancient city walls and two other ribat added later: the as-Sayda ribat and the Sidi Jhouib ribat, as well as a 9th century mosque.

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