Hergla
| Hergla | |
|---|---|
 Hergla with harbour | |
  Hergla Location in Tunisia | |
| Coordinates: 36°2′0″N 10°30′0″E / 36.03333°N 10.50000°ECoordinates: 36°2′0″N 10°30′0″E / 36.03333°N 10.50000°E | |
| Country |
 |
| Governorate | Sousse Governorate |
| Population (2014) | |
| • Total | 7,423 |
| Time zone | UTC1 (CET) |
Hergla (Arabic: هرقلة) is a small cliff-top town in north-eastern Tunisia off the Gulf of Hammamet. White houses of Hergla are built in classic style characteristic for this region.
History
In the Roman period Hergla was named "Horrea Caelia".[1][2] It was the border town between the historic regions Byzacena and Zeugitana.
Buildings
Very impressive was the mosque "Sidi Bou Mendil", which dominated the town. Nearby, was the cemetery of Hergla with historic graves. It is a small religious center organized around the tomb of Sidi Bou Mendel which is, according to the local tradition, a saint man from Morocco who would have settled in the region of return of a pilgrimage to Mecca in the 13th century ; the main mosque of the city bears his name.
Cinema
Since 2005, the African Mediterranean Cultural Association has been organizing the Hergla Film Meetings each summer. Evenings of film screenings and music concerts are given in an oil mill and training workshops, debates and exhibitions are held at the House of Culture of Hergla. Internationally renowned artists participated, such as Sotigui Kouyate, Mohammed Bakri, Nouri Bouzid, Wasis Diop and Afel Bocoum.
Economy
In difference to the neighbour cities Hammamet and Port El Kantaoui Hergla has not much tourism. There was a little harbour. Famous products are baskets from esparto.
The mosque Sidi Bou Mendil in Hergla
Villagepeople
Cemetery of Hergla
References
- ↑ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography
- ↑ Bulletin de géographie historique et descriptive, vol. IV, éd. Ernest Leroux, (Paris, 1890), p. 58
External links