Long ago, long before Monastir became a city, there was only a small fishing village surrounded by cliffs and steep cliffs. These cliffs served as protection from attacks from the sea, but the villagers were constantly exposed to the danger of pirate raids and enemy invasions.
One day, a group of sailors and merchants from Arab countries appeared on the coast and were amazed by the beauty of the place and its strategic location. They decided to establish a new city here, which would serve as a fortress and trading centre.
The leader of this group was a wise and brave leader named Amir. According to legend, Amir had a vision in which he was promised that if he built a city on this site, he would be very lucky and the city would prosper.
Amir and his companions set to work and built a massive fortress on the cliffs, which served as protection against enemies from the sea. Gradually, a city began to form around the fortress, which was named Monastir, meaning “fortress” in Arabic.
From then on, Monastir became an important centre of trade, culture and learning in the region. Legend has it that the happiness and prosperity promised to Amir came true, and Monastir became one of the most important cities in Tunisia.