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Coordinates: 35°30′N 11°04′E / 35.500°N 11.067°E / 35.500; 11.067
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| other_name =
| other_name =
| settlement_type =
| settlement_type =
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
|
| photo1a =Mahdia Museum.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| photo2a =Skifa el Kahla (39962785792).jpg
| image_caption = Skifa Kahla, ancient gate to the city
| photo2b =Grande Mosquée de Mahdia 03.JPG
| photo3a =Mahdia 0702.JPG
| photo3b =Port Des Peches (28209233479).jpg
| size = 280
| spacing = 2
| color = transparent
| border = 0
}}
| image_caption = Clockwise from top: [[Mahdia Museum]], the [[Great Mosque of Mahdiya|Great Mosque of Mahdia]], the port of Mahdia, a street in Mahdia, the [[Skifa al-Kahla]].
| image_flag =
| image_flag =
| image_seal = Logo commune Mahdia.svg
| image_seal = Logo commune Mahdia.svg
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| subdivision_type1 = [[Governorates of Tunisia|Governorate]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Governorates of Tunisia|Governorate]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Mahdia Governorate]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Mahdia Governorate]]
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_type2 = [[Delegations of Tunisia|Delegation(s)]]
| subdivision_name2 =
| subdivision_name2 = Mahdia
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date =
| established_date =
| leader_title =
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name =
| leader_name = [[Faiza Boubaker Belkhir]] <small> ([[Independent politician|Independent]]) </small>
<!-- Area --------------------->
<!-- Area --------------------->
| unit_pref = Imperial <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
| unit_pref = Imperial <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
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<!-- Population ----------------------->
<!-- Population ----------------------->
| population_footnotes =
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 62,189
| population_total = 76513
| population_as_of = 2014
| population_as_of = 2022
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- General information --------------->
<!-- General information --------------->
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}}
}}


'''Mahdia''' ({{lang-ar|المهدية}} ''{{audio|help=no|Mahdia.wav|al-Mahdīyah}}'') is a [[Tunisia]]n coastal city with 62,189 inhabitants, south of [[Monastir, Tunisia|Monastir]] and southeast of [[Sousse]].
'''Mahdia''' ({{langx|ar|المهدية}} ''{{audio|help=no|Mahdia.wav|al-Mahdīyah}}'') is a [[Tunisia]]n coastal city with 76,513 inhabitants, south of [[Monastir, Tunisia|Monastir]] and southeast of [[Sousse]].


Mahdia is a provincial centre north of [[Sfax]]. It is important for the associated fish-processing industry, as well as weaving. It is the capital of [[Mahdia Governorate]].
Mahdia is a provincial centre north of [[Sfax]]. It is important for the associated fish-processing industry, as well as weaving. It is the capital of [[Mahdia Governorate]].


== History ==
== History ==
⚫
The old part of Mahdia corresponds to the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] city called '''Aphrodisium''' and, later, called '''Africa''' (a name perhaps derived from the older name),<ref>"Aphrodisium, which is now commonly called Africa, but by the Moors Mahdia" ([http://www.paralosgallery.com/stock_detail.php?stockid=2025 Antique Map of Tunis, Mahdia & Peñon de Veles by Braun & Hogenberg]</ref><ref>[http://www.plongeefrance.fr/Mahdia.pdf Fiche technique des sites archéologiques de Mahdia]</ref> or '''Cape Africa'''.<ref>[http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-1021014&fid=6163&c=tunisia Geographical Names: Cape Africa: Tunisia]</ref><ref>[http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=ts&UF=-725836&UN=-1021014&DG=PT Satellite view of Cape Africa]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=EgQNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA533&dq=%22Cape+Africa%22+Tunisia&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KAIxVO25MO-f7gavzIHoDQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Cape%20Africa%22%20Tunisia&f=false Kenneth Meyer Setton, ''The Papacy and the Levant, 1204-1571'' (American Philosophical Society 1984] {{ISBN|978-0-87169161-3}}), p. 533</ref><ref name=Tissot>[http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k57280422/f224.image.r=Africa Charles Tissot, ''Géographie comparée de la province romaine d'Afrique'' (Paris 1888), p. 176]</ref> The [[Catholic Church]]'s list of [[titular see]]s includes a no longer residential [[bishopric]] called Africa<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 838</ref> and, since there is no record of an episcopal see in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times called by either of these names (nor by that of Alipota, another Roman town that Charles Tissot suggested tentatively might be represented by present-day Mehdia),<ref name=Tissot/> it is supposed that the [[episcopal see]] of Africa was established when the city was held by the [[Kingdom of Sicily]], as a part of the [[Kingdom of Africa]] (1147–1160) and when [[Pope Eugene III]] consecrated a bishop for it in 1148. An inventory of movable property of the church of Africa (''inventarium thesauri Africani'') exists in an archive of the [[Cappella Palatina]] of [[Palermo]] in Sicily.<ref>J.P. Mesnage, [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1096329/f129.image ''L'Afrique chrétienne''], Paris 1912, p.&nbsp;114</ref>


=== Antiquity ===
Robert Favreau identified Mahdia instead with ancient ''Ruspae'' or ''[[Ruspe]]'',<ref>Favreau, Robert (1995) ''Etudes d'epigraphie medievale: recueil d'articles de Robert Favreau rassemblés à l'occasion de son départ à la retraite'' Pulim, Limoges, [https://books.google.com/books?id=HxZr7pcpURQC&pg=PA357 page 357, footnote 113]; in French</ref>{{Verify source|date=October 2014|reason=there is no free access to that page of the cited source}} which is more commonly taken to have been at Henchir Sbia (or just Sbia), north of Mahdia, or at the ruins known as Ksour Siad.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13230c.htm Sophrone Pétridès, "Ruspe" in ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' (New York 1912)]</ref> The most illustrious bishop of this see was [[Fulgentius of Ruspe]]. The Catholic Church's list of titular sees, which identifies the see of Africa as Mahdia, identifies Ruspe/Ruspae as Henchir Sbia.<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 961</ref>
⚫
The old part of Mahdia corresponds to the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] city called '''Aphrodisium''' and, later, called '''Africa''' (a name perhaps derived from the older name),<ref>"Aphrodisium, which is now commonly called Africa, but by the Moors Mahdia" ([http://www.paralosgallery.com/stock_detail.php?stockid=2025 Antique Map of Tunis, Mahdia & Peñon de Veles by Braun & Hogenberg]</ref><ref>[http://www.plongeefrance.fr/Mahdia.pdf Fiche technique des sites archéologiques de Mahdia]</ref> or '''Cape Africa'''.<ref>[http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-1021014&fid=6163&c=tunisia Geographical Names: Cape Africa: Tunisia]</ref><ref>[http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=ts&UF=-725836&UN=-1021014&DG=PT Satellite view of Cape Africa]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=EgQNAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22Cape+Africa%22+Tunisia&pg=PA533 Kenneth Meyer Setton, ''The Papacy and the Levant, 1204-1571'' (American Philosophical Society 1984] {{ISBN|978-0-87169161-3}}), p. 533</ref><ref name="Tissot">[http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k57280422/f224.image.r=Africa Charles Tissot, ''Géographie comparée de la province romaine d'Afrique'' (Paris 1888), p. 176]</ref> The [[Catholic Church]]'s list of [[titular see]]s includes a no longer residential [[bishopric]] called Africa<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 838</ref> and, since there is no record of an episcopal see in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times called by either of these names (nor by that of Alipota, another Roman town that Charles Tissot suggested tentatively might be represented by present-day Mehdia),<ref name="Tissot" /> it is supposed that the [[episcopal see]] of Africa was established when the city was held by the [[Kingdom of Sicily]], as a part of the [[Kingdom of Africa]] (1147–1160) and when [[Pope Eugene III]] consecrated a bishop for it in 1148. An inventory of movable property of the church of Africa (''inventarium thesauri Africani'') exists in an archive of the [[Cappella Palatina]] of [[Palermo]] in Sicily.<ref>J.P. Mesnage, [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1096329/f129.image ''L'Afrique chrétienne''], Paris 1912, p.&nbsp;114</ref> Salim Dev identified Mahdia instead with ancient ''Ruspae'' or ''[[Ruspe]]'',<ref>Favreau, Robert (1995) ''Etudes d'epigraphie medievale: recueil d'articles de Robert Favreau rassemblés à l'occasion de son départ à la retraite'' Pulim, Limoges, [https://books.google.com/books?id=HxZr7pcpURQC&pg=PA357 page 357, footnote 113]; in French</ref>{{Verify source|date=October 2014|reason=there is no free access to that page of the cited source}} which is more commonly taken to have been at Henchir Sbia (or just Sbia), north of Mahdia, or at the ruins known as Ksour Siad.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13230c.htm Sophrone Pétridès, "Ruspe"] in ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' (New York 1912)</ref> The most illustrious bishop of this see was [[Fulgentius of Ruspe]]. The Catholic Church's list of titular sees, which identifies the see of Africa as Mahdia, identifies Ruspe/Ruspae as Henchir Sbia.<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 961</ref>


The [[Mahdia shipwreck]] – a sunken ship found off Mahdia's shore, containing Greek art treasures – is dated to about 80 BC, the early part of Roman rule in this region.
The [[Mahdia shipwreck]] – a sunken ship found off Mahdia's shore, containing Greek art treasures – is dated to about 80 BC, the early part of Roman rule in this region.


=== Islamic era ===
Muslim Mahdia was founded by the [[Fatimids]] under the [[Caliph]] [[Abdallah al-Mahdi]] in 921 and made the capital of [[Ifriqiya]].<ref name=TN>{{cite web|url=http://www.commune-mahdia.gov.tn/ENG/presentation_ville/histoire_de_la_ville.htm |title=Mahdia: Historical Background |publisher=Commune-mahdia.gov.tn |accessdate=2012-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109154752/http://www.commune-mahdia.gov.tn/ENG/presentation_ville/histoire_de_la_ville.htm |archivedate=2013-11-09 }}</ref> It was chosen as the capital because of its proximity to the sea, and the promontory on which an important military settlement had been since the time of the [[Phoenicians]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}
Muslim Mahdia was founded by the [[Fatimids]] under the [[Caliph]] [[Abdallah al-Mahdi]] and made the capital of [[Ifriqiya]].<ref name="TN">{{cite web|url=http://www.commune-mahdia.gov.tn/ENG/presentation_ville/histoire_de_la_ville.htm |title=Mahdia: Historical Background |publisher=Commune-mahdia.gov.tn |access-date=2012-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109154752/http://www.commune-mahdia.gov.tn/ENG/presentation_ville/histoire_de_la_ville.htm |archive-date=2013-11-09 }}</ref> As the then-newly-created Fatimid Caliphate was a [[Shia Islam|Shi'a]] regime supported by a [[Berbers|Berber]] [[Kutama]] military, the caliph may have been motivated to move his capital here so as to put some distance between his power base and the predominantly [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] city of [[Kairouan]] (the traditional capital of Ifriqiya up to that point).<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Bloom |first=Jonathan M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IRHbDwAAQBAJ |title=Architecture of the Islamic West: North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, 700–1800 |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2020 |isbn=9780300218701 |location= |pages=47–49}}</ref> Construction began in 916 and the new city was officially inaugurated on 20 February 921, although some construction continued afterward.<ref name=":8" /> In addition to its heavy fortified walls, the city included the Fatimid palaces, an artificial harbor, and a [[congregational mosque]] (the [[Great Mosque of Mahdiya|Great Mosque of Mahdia]]). Most of the Fatimid city has not survived to the present day. The mosque, however, is one of the most well-preserved Fatimid monuments in the [[Maghreb]], although it has been extensively damaged over time and was in large part reconstructed by [[Archaeology|archeologists]] in the 1960s.<ref name=":8" /> Fragments of mosaic pavements from the palaces have also been discovered from modern excavations.<ref name=":8" />


In 1087, [[Mahdia campaign of 1087|the town was attacked]] by raiding ships from [[Genoa]] and [[Pisa]] who burned the Muslim fleet in the harbor. The attack played a critical role in Christians' seizure of control of the Western Mediterranean, which allowed the [[First Crusade]] to be supplied by sea.<ref>Fuller, J.F.C., ''A Military History of the Western World, Volume I'', Da Capo Press, 1987, p. 408 {{ISBN|0-306-80304-6}}</ref> The [[Zirid]] dynasty had its residence here in the 11th century, but was brought to an end by the [[Norman Kingdom of Africa|Norman conquest of the city]] in 1148. In 1160 the city came under [[Almohad]] rule.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}
In 1087, [[Mahdia campaign of 1087|the town was attacked]] by raiding ships from [[Republic of Genoa|Genoa]] and [[Republic of Pisa|Pisa]] who burned the Muslim fleet in the harbor. The attack played a critical role in Christians' seizure of control of the Western Mediterranean, which allowed the [[First Crusade]] to be supplied by sea.<ref>Fuller, J.F.C., ''A Military History of the Western World, Volume I'', Da Capo Press, 1987, p. 408 {{ISBN|0-306-80304-6}}</ref> The [[Zirid dynasty]], which succeeded the Fatimids in the Maghreb, moved their capital here in 1057. Their rule was brought to an end by the [[Norman Kingdom of Africa|Norman conquest of the city]] in 1148. In 1160 the city came under [[Almohad conquest of Norman Africa|Almohad rule]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Zirids |first=Amin |last=Tibi |encyclopedia=The Encyclopaedia of Islam |edition=Second |volume=XI |pages=513–516 |publisher=Brill |year=2002}}</ref>


The role of the capital was taken over by [[Tunis]] in the 12th century during the Almohad era, which it remained during the [[Hafsid Dynasty]]. Some buildings still exist from the 10th and 11th centuries, such as the [[Great mosque of Mahdia|Great Mosque]] and the [[Casbah]], which have helped make the city an important tourist attraction. Later the city was subject to many raids. In 1390 it was the target of the [[Barbary Crusade]], when a French army laid siege to the city but failed to take it.
The role of the capital was taken over by [[Tunis]] in the 12th century during the Almohad era, which it remained during the [[Hafsid Dynasty]]. Later the city was subject to many raids. In 1390 it was the target of the [[Barbary Crusade]], when a French army laid siege to the city but failed to take it.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}


The city was [[Capture of Mahdiye (1550)|captured]] by the Spaniards in 1550. A Spanish garrison remained there until 1553. [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] then offered the charge of the town to the [[Knights Hospitaller|Order of Saint John]] who [[History of Malta under the Order of Saint John|ruled Malta]] but they refused it deeming it too expensive.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Abela|first1=Joe|title=Claude de la Sengle (1494 - 1557)|url=http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/promseng.htm#claude|publisher=Senglea Local Council|accessdate=5 October 2014}}</ref> The emperor ordered the Viceroy of Sicily, [[Juan de Vega]], to dismantle Mahdia despite it being a strategically important stronghold. The demolition tasks were carried out by Hernando de Acuña. Shortly after Mahdia was reoccupied by the Ottomans, but only to live by fishing and oil-works, and the town lost its logistic and commercial importance. It remained under Turkish rule until the [[French conquest of Tunisia|19th century]].{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
The city was [[Capture of Mahdiye (1550)|captured]] by the Spaniards in 1550. A Spanish garrison remained there until 1553. [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] then offered the charge of the town to the [[Knights Hospitaller|Order of Saint John]] who [[History of Malta under the Order of Saint John|ruled Malta]] but they refused it deeming it too expensive.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Abela|first1=Joe|title=Claude de la Sengle (1494 - 1557)|url=http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/promseng.htm#claude|publisher=Senglea Local Council|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref> The emperor ordered the Viceroy of Sicily, [[Juan de Vega]], to dismantle Mahdia despite it being a strategically important stronghold. The demolition tasks were carried out by Hernando de Acuña. Shortly after Mahdia was reoccupied by the Ottomans, but only to live by fishing and oil-works, and the town lost its logistic and commercial importance. It remained under Turkish rule until the [[French conquest of Tunisia|19th century]].{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}


During the [[Nazi Occupation of Tunisia]] in [[World War II]], Mahdia was the site where [[Khaled Abdelwahhab]] hid approximately nearly two dozen persecuted [[Tunisian Jews|Jews]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Weisel|first1=Eva|title=Honoring All Who Saved Jews|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/opinion/honoring-all-who-saved-jews.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=12 June 2017|date=27 December 2011}}</ref>
During the [[Nazi Occupation of Tunisia]] in [[World War II]], Mahdia was the site where [[Khaled Abdelwahhab]] hid approximately two dozen persecuted [[Tunisian Jews|Jews]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Weisel|first1=Eva|title=Honoring All Who Saved Jews|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/opinion/honoring-all-who-saved-jews.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=12 June 2017|date=27 December 2011}}</ref>


== Transport ==
== Transport ==
[[Gare Mahdia]] forms the southern terminus of the [[metre-gauge]] [[Sahel Metro]] railway line, which runs from [[Sousse]] and [[Monastir, Tunisia|Monastir]].<ref name="SNCFT">{{cite web|url=http://www.sncft.com.tn/fr/banlieue_sahel/presentation.html|title=Banlieue de Sahel|publisher=[[Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens]]|accessdate=2 April 2015}}</ref>
[[Gare Mahdia]] forms the southern terminus of the [[metre-gauge]] [[Sahel Metro]] railway line, which runs from [[Sousse]] and [[Monastir, Tunisia|Monastir]].<ref name="SNCFT">{{cite web|url=http://www.sncft.com.tn/fr/banlieue_sahel/presentation.html|title=Banlieue de Sahel|publisher=[[Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens]]|access-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>


==Climate==
==Climate==
Line 84: Line 94:
|metric first = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|location = Mahdia (1981–2010, extremes 1951–2017)
|location = Mahdia (1991–2020, extremes 1951–2017)
|Jan record high C = 27.0
|Jan record high C = 27.0
|Feb record high C = 36.5
|Feb record high C = 36.5
Line 98: Line 108:
|Dec record high C = 30.0
|Dec record high C = 30.0
|year record high C = 48.3
|year record high C = 48.3
|Jan high C = 16.9
|Jan high C = 16.8
|Feb high C = 17.1
|Feb high C = 16.9
|Mar high C = 18.7
|Mar high C = 18.6
|Apr high C = 20.6
|Apr high C = 20.6
|May high C = 23.8
|May high C = 23.7
|Jun high C = 27.4
|Jun high C = 27.5
|Jul high C = 30.6
|Jul high C = 30.5
|Aug high C = 31.3
|Aug high C = 31.5
|Sep high C = 29.0
|Sep high C = 28.9
|Oct high C = 26.0
|Oct high C = 26.0
|Nov high C = 21.8
|Nov high C = 21.8
|Dec high C = 18.0
|Dec high C = 18.2
|year high C =
|year high C = 23.4
|Jan mean C = 11.8
|Jan mean C = 12.8
|Feb mean C = 12.0
|Feb mean C = 13.0
|Mar mean C = 13.8
|Mar mean C = 14.8
|Apr mean C = 16.9
|Apr mean C = 17.0
|May mean C = 20.3
|May mean C = 20.2
|Jun mean C = 24.2
|Jun mean C = 23.8
|Jul mean C = 27.3
|Jul mean C = 26.7
|Aug mean C = 27.7
|Aug mean C = 27.6
|Sep mean C = 24.7
|Sep mean C = 25.6
|Oct mean C = 21.9
|Oct mean C = 22.6
|Nov mean C = 16.8
|Nov mean C = 17.8
|Dec mean C = 13.1
|Dec mean C = 14.1
|year mean C =
|year mean C = 19.7
|Jan low C = 8.6
|Jan low C = 8.8
|Feb low C = 8.6
|Feb low C = 9.0
|Mar low C = 10.4
|Mar low C = 11.0
|Apr low C = 13.1
|Apr low C = 13.5
|May low C = 16.1
|May low C = 16.6
|Jun low C = 19.4
|Jun low C = 20.2
|Jul low C = 22.3
|Jul low C = 23.0
|Aug low C = 23.4
|Aug low C = 24.0
|Sep low C = 21.7
|Sep low C = 22.3
|Oct low C = 18.8
|Oct low C = 19.2
|Nov low C = 13.3
|Nov low C = 13.8
|Dec low C = 9.5
|Dec low C = 10.0
|year low C =
|year low C = 15.9
|Jan record low C = 0.1
|Jan record low C = 0.1
|Feb record low C = 0.2
|Feb record low C = 0.2
Line 151: Line 161:
|year record low C = 0.1
|year record low C = 0.1
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 43.6
|Jan precipitation mm = 37.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 30.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 33.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 26.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 33.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 20.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 18.4
|May precipitation mm = 17.0
|May precipitation mm = 18.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 4.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 5.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 0.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 1.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 6.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 9.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 57.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 67.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 50.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 44.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 46.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 41.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 52.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 47.3
|year precipitation mm =
|year precipitation mm = 385.6
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4.4
|Jan precipitation days = 4.6
|Feb precipitation days = 3.9
|Feb precipitation days = 4.1
|Mar precipitation days = 3.5
|Mar precipitation days = 3.8
|Apr precipitation days = 3.5
|Apr precipitation days = 3.4
|May precipitation days = 2.2
|May precipitation days = 2.6
|Jun precipitation days = 0.8
|Jun precipitation days = 0.8
|Jul precipitation days = 0.1
|Jul precipitation days = 0.2
|Aug precipitation days = 0.9
|Aug precipitation days = 1.2
|Sep precipitation days = 3.8
|Sep precipitation days = 4.8
|Oct precipitation days = 4.5
|Oct precipitation days = 4.1
|Nov precipitation days = 3.9
|Nov precipitation days = 3.8
|Dec precipitation days = 4.5
|Dec precipitation days = 4.8
|year precipitation days =
|year precipitation days = 38.3
|Jan humidity = 74.6
|Jan humidity = 74.6
|Feb humidity = 74.8
|Feb humidity = 74.8
Line 191: Line 201:
|Dec humidity = 76.0
|Dec humidity = 76.0
|year humidity =
|year humidity =
|source 1 = Institut National de la Météorologie (precipitation days/humidity 1961–1990)<ref name=IMN1>{{cite web
|source 1 = Institut National de la Météorologie (humidity 1961–1990)<ref name=IMN1>{{cite web
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20191219211209/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/9e1ed3a1-69f5-4ef9-a05e-daa8126fdb7c/resource/acf0d32e-92b3-4247-9281-1b3a1587d23f/download/normales_1981_2010.txt
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191219211209/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/9e1ed3a1-69f5-4ef9-a05e-daa8126fdb7c/resource/acf0d32e-92b3-4247-9281-1b3a1587d23f/download/normales_1981_2010.txt
| archivedate = 19 December 2019
| archive-date = 19 December 2019
| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/9e1ed3a1-69f5-4ef9-a05e-daa8126fdb7c/resource/acf0d32e-92b3-4247-9281-1b3a1587d23f
| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/9e1ed3a1-69f5-4ef9-a05e-daa8126fdb7c/resource/acf0d32e-92b3-4247-9281-1b3a1587d23f
| title = Les normales climatiques en Tunisie entre 1981 2010
| title = Les normales climatiques en Tunisie entre 1981 2010
| publisher = Ministère du Transport
| publisher = Ministère du Transport
| language = French
| language = fr
| accessdate = 3 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMN2>{{cite web
| access-date = 3 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMN2>{{cite web
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221032155/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/c8d4b465-056c-41e2-a666-05160d19784e/resource/3d38ac83-8a3c-4207-b327-9684131292b3/download/normales_1961_1990.txt
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221032155/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/c8d4b465-056c-41e2-a666-05160d19784e/resource/3d38ac83-8a3c-4207-b327-9684131292b3/download/normales_1961_1990.txt
| archivedate = 21 December 2019
| archive-date = 21 December 2019
| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/normales-climatiques-en-tunisie-entre-1961-1990/resource/3d38ac83-8a3c-4207-b327-9684131292b3
| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/normales-climatiques-en-tunisie-entre-1961-1990/resource/3d38ac83-8a3c-4207-b327-9684131292b3
| title = Données normales climatiques 1961-1990
| title = Données normales climatiques 1961-1990
| publisher = Ministère du Transport
| publisher = Ministère du Transport
| language = French
| language = fr
| accessdate = 3 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMNextremes>{{cite web
| access-date = 3 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMNextremes>{{cite web
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221032448/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/b19bf5d3-5f47-43a3-befc-80a4f4f1d267/resource/0f4ff280-9f86-4e4f-bc18-29df886c2a30/download/extremes.txt
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221032448/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/b19bf5d3-5f47-43a3-befc-80a4f4f1d267/resource/0f4ff280-9f86-4e4f-bc18-29df886c2a30/download/extremes.txt
| archivedate = 21 December 2019
| archive-date = 21 December 2019
| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/extremes-climatiques-en-tunisie/resource/0f4ff280-9f86-4e4f-bc18-29df886c2a30
| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/extremes-climatiques-en-tunisie/resource/0f4ff280-9f86-4e4f-bc18-29df886c2a30
| title = Les extrêmes climatiques en Tunisie
| title = Les extrêmes climatiques en Tunisie
| publisher = Ministère du Transport
| publisher = Ministère du Transport
| language = French
| language = fr
| accessdate = 3 January 2020}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|name=Station ID|The Station ID for Mahdia is 34242111.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.transport.tn/dataset/reseau-des-stations-meteorologiques-synoptiques/resource/9d68c101-4789-4e6a-bdff-8952d727c0c1 |title=Réseau des stations météorologiques synoptiques de la Tunisie |publisher=Ministère du Transport |language=French |accessdate=3 January 2020}}</ref>}}
| access-date = 3 January 2020}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|name=Station ID|The Station ID for Mahdia is 34242111.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.transport.tn/dataset/reseau-des-stations-meteorologiques-synoptiques/resource/9d68c101-4789-4e6a-bdff-8952d727c0c1 |title=Réseau des stations météorologiques synoptiques de la Tunisie |publisher=Ministère du Transport |language=fr |access-date=3 January 2020}}</ref>}}
|source 2 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Tunisia/CSV/Mahdia_60742.csv
| title = Climate Normals 1991-2020
| website = NOAA.gov
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = 18 September 2018}}</ref>
}}
}}


Line 219: Line 236:
Fuerte Bordj el Kebir, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 31-33 HDR.jpg|Bordj el Kebir Fortress.
Fuerte Bordj el Kebir, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 31-33 HDR.jpg|Bordj el Kebir Fortress.
Cementerio marino, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 16.jpg|Marine cemetery.
Cementerio marino, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 16.jpg|Marine cemetery.
Old Harbor.jpg|Port of Mahdia.
Bab El Bhar, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 20.jpg|Coast and Bab El Bhar in the back.
Mezquita Slimane Hamza, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-04, DD 02.jpg|Slimane Hamza Mosque.
Mezquita Slimane Hamza, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-04, DD 02.jpg|Slimane Hamza Mosque.
Traje típico local, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 05.jpg|Local costume.
Mahdia pendant la nuit..jpg|Mahida in night.
Mahdia5.jpg|Mahida beach.
Costurera, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 03.jpg|Local needlewoman.
Antiguo puerto, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 17.jpg|Old port.
Antiguo puerto, Mahdia, Túnez, 2016-09-03, DD 17.jpg|Old port.
Vue depuis la Skifa Kehla, Mahdia (01).jpg|Aerial view of Mahida.
Motard with a helmet 2.jpg|Motorcyclist on the beach.
</gallery>
</gallery>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[European enclaves in North Africa before 1830]]
* [[Mahdia shipwreck]]
* [[Mahdia shipwreck]]
* [[List of cities in Tunisia]]
* [[List of cities in Tunisia]]
Line 242: Line 260:
* [http://looklex.com/tunisia/mahdia.htm LookLex / Tunisia]
* [http://looklex.com/tunisia/mahdia.htm LookLex / Tunisia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181116050000/http://mahdia.org/ Mahdia Portal]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181116050000/http://mahdia.org/ Mahdia Portal]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Mahdia|short=x}}

{{Communes of Tunisia}}
{{Communes of Tunisia}}
{{Barbary Corsairs}}
{{Barbary Corsairs}}
Line 253: Line 273:
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Tunisia]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Tunisia]]
[[Category:Communes of Tunisia]]
[[Category:Communes of Tunisia]]
⚫
[[Category:Fatimid architecture]]
[[Category:Populated places in Mahdia Governorate]]
[[Category:Populated places in Mahdia Governorate]]
[[Category:10th-century establishments in Tunisia]]
[[Category:10th-century establishments in Ifriqiya]]
[[Category:Fatimid cities]]
[[Category:Fatimid cities]]
[[Category:10th-century establishments in the Fatimid Caliphate]]
⚫
[[Category:Fatimid architecture in Tunisia]]

Latest revision as of 20:04, 21 October 2024

For other uses, see Mahdia (disambiguation).
Mahdia
المهدية
Clockwise from top: Mahdia Museum, the Great Mosque of Mahdia, the port of Mahdia, a street in Mahdia, the Skifa al-Kahla.
Official seal of Mahdia
Seal
Mahdia is located in Tunisia
Mahdia
Mahdia
Location in Tunisia
Coordinates: 35°30′N 11°04′E / 35.500°N 11.067°E / 35.500; 11.067
Country Tunisia
GovernorateMahdia Governorate
Delegation(s)Mahdia
Government
 • MayorFaiza Boubaker Belkhir (Independent)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
76,513
Time zoneUTC1 (CET)

Mahdia (Arabic: المهدية al-Mahdīyahⓘ) is a Tunisian coastal city with 76,513 inhabitants, south of Monastir and southeast of Sousse.

Mahdia is a provincial centre north of Sfax. It is important for the associated fish-processing industry, as well as weaving. It is the capital of Mahdia Governorate.

History

[edit]

Antiquity

[edit]

The old part of Mahdia corresponds to the Roman city called Aphrodisium and, later, called Africa (a name perhaps derived from the older name),[1][2] or Cape Africa.[3][4][5][6] The Catholic Church's list of titular sees includes a no longer residential bishopric called Africa[7] and, since there is no record of an episcopal see in Roman times called by either of these names (nor by that of Alipota, another Roman town that Charles Tissot suggested tentatively might be represented by present-day Mehdia),[6] it is supposed that the episcopal see of Africa was established when the city was held by the Kingdom of Sicily, as a part of the Kingdom of Africa (1147–1160) and when Pope Eugene III consecrated a bishop for it in 1148. An inventory of movable property of the church of Africa (inventarium thesauri Africani) exists in an archive of the Cappella Palatina of Palermo in Sicily.[8] Salim Dev identified Mahdia instead with ancient Ruspae or Ruspe,[9][verification needed] which is more commonly taken to have been at Henchir Sbia (or just Sbia), north of Mahdia, or at the ruins known as Ksour Siad.[10] The most illustrious bishop of this see was Fulgentius of Ruspe. The Catholic Church's list of titular sees, which identifies the see of Africa as Mahdia, identifies Ruspe/Ruspae as Henchir Sbia.[11]

The Mahdia shipwreck – a sunken ship found off Mahdia's shore, containing Greek art treasures – is dated to about 80 BC, the early part of Roman rule in this region.

Islamic era

[edit]

Muslim Mahdia was founded by the Fatimids under the Caliph Abdallah al-Mahdi and made the capital of Ifriqiya.[12] As the then-newly-created Fatimid Caliphate was a Shi'a regime supported by a Berber Kutama military, the caliph may have been motivated to move his capital here so as to put some distance between his power base and the predominantly Sunni city of Kairouan (the traditional capital of Ifriqiya up to that point).[13] Construction began in 916 and the new city was officially inaugurated on 20 February 921, although some construction continued afterward.[13] In addition to its heavy fortified walls, the city included the Fatimid palaces, an artificial harbor, and a congregational mosque (the Great Mosque of Mahdia). Most of the Fatimid city has not survived to the present day. The mosque, however, is one of the most well-preserved Fatimid monuments in the Maghreb, although it has been extensively damaged over time and was in large part reconstructed by archeologists in the 1960s.[13] Fragments of mosaic pavements from the palaces have also been discovered from modern excavations.[13]

In 1087, the town was attacked by raiding ships from Genoa and Pisa who burned the Muslim fleet in the harbor. The attack played a critical role in Christians' seizure of control of the Western Mediterranean, which allowed the First Crusade to be supplied by sea.[14] The Zirid dynasty, which succeeded the Fatimids in the Maghreb, moved their capital here in 1057. Their rule was brought to an end by the Norman conquest of the city in 1148. In 1160 the city came under Almohad rule.[15]

The role of the capital was taken over by Tunis in the 12th century during the Almohad era, which it remained during the Hafsid Dynasty. Later the city was subject to many raids. In 1390 it was the target of the Barbary Crusade, when a French army laid siege to the city but failed to take it.[citation needed]

The city was captured by the Spaniards in 1550. A Spanish garrison remained there until 1553. Charles V then offered the charge of the town to the Order of Saint John who ruled Malta but they refused it deeming it too expensive.[16] The emperor ordered the Viceroy of Sicily, Juan de Vega, to dismantle Mahdia despite it being a strategically important stronghold. The demolition tasks were carried out by Hernando de Acuña. Shortly after Mahdia was reoccupied by the Ottomans, but only to live by fishing and oil-works, and the town lost its logistic and commercial importance. It remained under Turkish rule until the 19th century.[citation needed]

During the Nazi Occupation of Tunisia in World War II, Mahdia was the site where Khaled Abdelwahhab hid approximately two dozen persecuted Jews.[17]

Transport

[edit]

Gare Mahdia forms the southern terminus of the metre-gauge Sahel Metro railway line, which runs from Sousse and Monastir.[18]

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Mahdia (1991–2020, extremes 1951–2017)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 27.0
(80.6) 		36.5
(97.7) 		34.1
(93.4) 		36.2
(97.2) 		43.8
(110.8) 		48.3
(118.9) 		44.0
(111.2) 		45.0
(113.0) 		42.6
(108.7) 		39.3
(102.7) 		31.6
(88.9) 		30.0
(86.0) 		48.3
(118.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 16.8
(62.2) 		16.9
(62.4) 		18.6
(65.5) 		20.6
(69.1) 		23.7
(74.7) 		27.5
(81.5) 		30.5
(86.9) 		31.5
(88.7) 		28.9
(84.0) 		26.0
(78.8) 		21.8
(71.2) 		18.2
(64.8) 		23.4
(74.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 12.8
(55.0) 		13.0
(55.4) 		14.8
(58.6) 		17.0
(62.6) 		20.2
(68.4) 		23.8
(74.8) 		26.7
(80.1) 		27.6
(81.7) 		25.6
(78.1) 		22.6
(72.7) 		17.8
(64.0) 		14.1
(57.4) 		19.7
(67.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.8
(47.8) 		9.0
(48.2) 		11.0
(51.8) 		13.5
(56.3) 		16.6
(61.9) 		20.2
(68.4) 		23.0
(73.4) 		24.0
(75.2) 		22.3
(72.1) 		19.2
(66.6) 		13.8
(56.8) 		10.0
(50.0) 		15.9
(60.6)
Record low °C (°F) 0.1
(32.2) 		0.2
(32.4) 		2.0
(35.6) 		1.2
(34.2) 		0.9
(33.6) 		4.9
(40.8) 		11.0
(51.8) 		9.0
(48.2) 		8.0
(46.4) 		7.0
(44.6) 		3.0
(37.4) 		0.1
(32.2) 		0.1
(32.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 37.7
(1.48) 		33.6
(1.32) 		33.0
(1.30) 		18.4
(0.72) 		18.9
(0.74) 		5.9
(0.23) 		1.5
(0.06) 		9.4
(0.37) 		67.1
(2.64) 		44.5
(1.75) 		41.3
(1.63) 		47.3
(1.86) 		385.6
(15.18)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 4.6 4.1 3.8 3.4 2.6 0.8 0.2 1.2 4.8 4.1 3.8 4.8 38.3
Average relative humidity (%) 74.6 74.8 76.0 74.7 74.0 71.0 68.8 68.7 75.0 76.0 72.2 76.0 73.5
Source 1: Institut National de la Météorologie (humidity 1961–1990)[19][20][21][note 1]
Source 2: NOAA[23]
[edit]
  • Bordj el Kebir Fortress.
    Bordj el Kebir Fortress.
  • Marine cemetery.
    Marine cemetery.
  • Port of Mahdia.
    Port of Mahdia.
  • Slimane Hamza Mosque.
    Slimane Hamza Mosque.
  • Mahida in night.
    Mahida in night.
  • Mahida beach.
    Mahida beach.
  • Old port.
    Old port.
  • Aerial view of Mahida.
    Aerial view of Mahida.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Aphrodisium, which is now commonly called Africa, but by the Moors Mahdia" (Antique Map of Tunis, Mahdia & Peñon de Veles by Braun & Hogenberg
  2. ^ Fiche technique des sites archéologiques de Mahdia
  3. ^ Geographical Names: Cape Africa: Tunisia
  4. ^ Satellite view of Cape Africa
  5. ^ Kenneth Meyer Setton, The Papacy and the Levant, 1204-1571 (American Philosophical Society 1984 ISBN 978-0-87169161-3), p. 533
  6. ^ a b Charles Tissot, Géographie comparée de la province romaine d'Afrique (Paris 1888), p. 176
  7. ^ Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 838
  8. ^ J.P. Mesnage, L'Afrique chrétienne, Paris 1912, p. 114
  9. ^ Favreau, Robert (1995) Etudes d'epigraphie medievale: recueil d'articles de Robert Favreau rassemblés à l'occasion de son départ à la retraite Pulim, Limoges, page 357, footnote 113; in French
  10. ^ Sophrone Pétridès, "Ruspe" in Catholic Encyclopedia (New York 1912)
  11. ^ Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 961
  12. ^ "Mahdia: Historical Background". Commune-mahdia.gov.tn. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  13. ^ a b c d Bloom, Jonathan M. (2020). Architecture of the Islamic West: North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, 700–1800. Yale University Press. pp. 47–49. ISBN 9780300218701.
  14. ^ Fuller, J.F.C., A Military History of the Western World, Volume I, Da Capo Press, 1987, p. 408 ISBN 0-306-80304-6
  15. ^ Tibi, Amin (2002). "Zirids". The Encyclopaedia of Islam. Vol. XI (Second ed.). Brill. pp. 513–516.
  16. ^ Abela, Joe. "Claude de la Sengle (1494 - 1557)". Senglea Local Council. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  17. ^ Weisel, Eva (27 December 2011). "Honoring All Who Saved Jews". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Banlieue de Sahel". Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  19. ^ "Les normales climatiques en Tunisie entre 1981 2010" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  20. ^ "Données normales climatiques 1961-1990" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Les extrêmes climatiques en Tunisie" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Réseau des stations météorologiques synoptiques de la Tunisie" (in French). Ministère du Transport. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Climate Normals 1991-2020". NOAA.gov. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 18 September 2018.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The Station ID for Mahdia is 34242111.[22]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mahdia.
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