Nabeul (/ˈnæbəl/;Arabic:نابلNābilⓘ;Tamazight: ⵏⴰⴱⴻⵍ) is a coastal town located in northeasternTunisia, on the south coast of theCape Bon peninsula and surrounded by theMediterranean Sea on both sides. It is the first seaside resort[1] in Tunisia. It is known for its agricultural riches and its tourism potential. The city had a population of 84,291 as of the 2022 census.[2]
Nabeul was founded in the fifth century BC by theGreeks ofCyrene, serving as a trade port. Its present name is anarabization of itsGreek nameNeapolis (Νεάπολις, "New City"), which wasa common name ofGreek colonies. In Roman times, the city was an important trade hub for grain from North Africa toRome, and a centre for manufacture ofgarum for Rome.[3]
Nabeul, as well as the whole region of Cape Bon is known for itsMediterranean climate (Köppen climate classificationCsa),.[7] In January, the temperature reaches 8.4 °C on the minimum average, with the maximum average attaining 15.8 °C. In August, the minimum temperature is 22.6 °C while the maximum is 30.6 °C.
Climate data for Nabeul (1991–2020, extremes 1981–present)
Nabeul's modern economy is based primarily on tourism. The most famous hotels are mainly located at the seaside. The most known tourist resorts in Nabeul include the Roman archaeological site of Neapolis (positioned 2 kilometres away from downtown), the archaeological museum which offers ceramic andPunic statues dating back to the seventh century BC and an important collection of Romanmosaics proceeded from sites of the region.
Souk El Balgha is considered one of the most ancient and special souks in the region of Nabeul. It was dedicated to fabricating and selling the "balgha" heelless slippers made from leather. Souk Haddada is devoted for sheet metal workers. Souk Ezzit is where the traders sold the oil. The weekly Souk that takes place every Friday attracts many tourists and locals. The Medina of Nabeul can be accessed through many doors: Beb Blad, the main entry, Beb el Zaouia and Beb el Khoukha.[14]
Nabeul also is known in Tunisia and abroad for its handicraft that consists of artistic potteries,[15] especially painted dishes[16] as well as for wall tiles.[17]
This craftwork was restarted during the first half of the twentieth century through the research of the French Tessier, Deverclos and the TunisianJacob Chemla.
Nabeul's agriculture relies onoranges,lemons, and thebitter orange also known in French as Bigardier.[17] People of Nabeul also distill flowers of bitter orange, Bourbon geranium, andDamask rose. They sell it mainly in the local souks and export the rest to the world.
Nabeul has been famous for itsHarissa since theAndalusians arrived in Tunisia in the sixteenth century.[18] They brought pepper and stored loads of it throughout the year. This activity called "El Oula" consists of preserving food ingredients all along the season and making it last longer in order to be consumed on a day-to-day basis. Many women in Nabeul are still committed to storing "El Oula" every year.
^"International Exchange".List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived fromthe original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved21 November 2015.