Gabès

History

Etymology

Takapes, the ancient name of Gabès, is a Punic Numidian (Berber) toponym. Later, the prefix "Ta" (meaning "the" in Berber) was dropped, and the place became known as Kapes. As in Arabic the sound /p/ is unknown, Kapes became known as Kabes, and later known as Gabès.

Roman period

Gabès is the ancient Tacapae or Tacape (Τακάπη in Ancient greek) or Tacapes of the Roman province of Tripolitania.

Strabo refers to this city as an important entrepot of the Lesser Syrtis. Pliny (18.22) remarks that the waters of a copious fountain at Tacape were divided among the cultivators according to a system where each had the use of the water during a certain interval of time.

The Tabula Peutingeriana shows Tacape between Macomades and Sabratha.

Bishopric

Tacapae became a Christian bishopric that, no longer being a residential see, is included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees.

Three of its bishops are known:

• Dulcitius, legate of the bishops of Tripolitana to the Council of Carthage (403) and present at the Conference of Carthage (411);
• Servilius, exiled by Huneric in 484;
• Caius or Gallus, legate of the bishops of his province to the Council of Carthage (525).

Islamic Caliphate and the Middle Ages

In the 7th century, the Umayyad Caliphate conquered the region, bringing Islam to Gabès. One of Prophet Muhammad's companions, Abu Lubaba Al'Ansari, settled in the city, contributing to its development as an Islamic center. The following centuries saw a succession of different rulers and dynasties. In 1148, the Zirids sacked Gabès, causing devastation to the city. During the Ottoman period, in 1574, Gabès became part of the Eyalet of Tunis, further cementing its role as a strategic trading hub in the Mediterranean region.

Gabès has been described by notable historians and travelers throughout history. In the 12th century, al-Idrisi praised its thriving economy, dense orchards, and bustling markets. He highlighted the city's production of dates, olives, and leather goods, as well as its strong fortifications. In the 14th century, al-Tijani depicted Gabès as a city of beauty and abundance, calling it the "paradise of the world" and "Little Damascus" due to its lush greenery and architectural charm. However, he also noted the city's health challenges, attributing frequent epidemics to the oleander trees that affected the water supply. In 1862, Victor Guérin described Gabès not as a singular city but as a collection of towns and villages forming a vast oasis, supported by the waters of the Wadi of Gabès.

French rule and the 20th century

In the late 19th century, Tunisia came under French control, and in 1881, Gabès became part of the French protectorate. This period saw the introduction of modern infrastructure but also economic hardships for the local population. The 20th century brought further turmoil. After the fall of France in 1940, Gabès came under German control during World War II. Later years brought more instability. In 1941, Gabès was the scene of riots against Jewish communities.

In 1943, British forces assisted in retaking Gabès from German control as part of the Mareth Line operations, but this led to severe damage to the city's infrastructure. Reconstruction efforts began in 1945 to restore the city's economic and social life.

Gabès played a role in Tunisia's struggle for independence from France, and after gaining sovereignty in 1956, the city continued to develop while preserving its historical and cultural heritage. Today, Gabès is known for its blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with its famous oasis being one of the last coastal oases in the world. Its historical significance remains evident in the archaeological remains and the continued traditions that link it to its rich past.[[File:Plan Gabes 1928.jpg|thumb|right|1928 map of Gabè]]

Education

• University of Gabès

Politics

In 2018, Nesrine Rajeh was appointed the mayor of the fourth district of Gabes, making her the first woman to hold the position.

Economy

Gabès is one of the biggest industrial cities in Tunisia. Most industries are chemical oriented, this is why the city offers one of the best chemistry degrees in Africa from the University of Gabès. The main industries are:

• Cement
• Chemical products
• Brick Factories
• Oil refinery

The fast-growing numbers of factories has resulted in fairly serious pollution in the area and the Gulf of Gabès. In recent years the government has worked on new programs and laws to curb pollution.

Environment

Due to the presence of many factories, the city has been suffering from air pollution for several years.

In October 2025, thousands of locals marched in the streets to protest the worsening air quality, particularly targeting a state-owned phosphate plant after a gas leak from the facility caused dozens of people to suffer from suffocation. Later, the number went up to over 120 people. In response, the president of Tunisia Kais Saied and top officials directed to begin looking for fast and comprehensive solutions for the environmental crises in the region.

Transport

Gabès – Matmata International Airport serves the city.

Gabès will soon be upgraded with one light rail system under the number 7 that will run from the railway station to the port of Gabès. Featuring rolling stock made by Alstom, Gabès will receive 15 new train sets.

Railways

Gabès is terminus of a narrow gauge branch railway from the capital, and is the nearest railway station to the Libyan border at Ras Ajdir. Gabès has also one of the biggest ports in Tunisia; it is used usually to ship the mineral products from the city of Gafsa.

Roads

Gabès will be linked soon with the national motorway A1 (Tunis – Ras Ajdir).

Climate

Gabès has a hot arid climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), bordering upon a hot semi-arid climate (BSh), characterised by hot summers and pleasant winters. Rainfall is low throughout the year and negligible during the hot summer.

|Jan record high C = 29.3 |Feb record high C = 33.9 |Mar record high C = 41.0 |Apr record high C = 38.2 |May record high C = 43.6 |Jun record high C = 46.5 |Jul record high C = 49.1 |Aug record high C = 46.6 |Sep record high C = 44.2 |Oct record high C = 40.9 |Nov record high C = 35.0 |Dec record high C = 31.2 |year record high C = 46.7 |Jan record low C = -2.7 |Feb record low C = -2.0 |Mar record low C = 0.9 |Apr record low C = 4.6 |May record low C = 8.2 |Jun record low C = 12.0 |Jul record low C = 15.6 |Aug record low C = 16.8 |Sep record low C = 14.4 |Oct record low C = 6.8 |Nov record low C = 2.6 |Dec record low C = 0.0 |year record low C = -2.7 | 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 | archive-date = 19 December 2019 | access-date = 4 January 2020}}{{cite web | 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 | archive-date = 21 December 2019 | access-date = 4 January 2020}}{{cite web | 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 | archive-date = 21 December 2019 | access-date = 4 January 2020}}

Culture

Gabès hosts a variety of cultural events that celebrate both its traditions and contemporary arts. One of the city's most notable cultural events is the Gabès Cinéma Fen, an annual film festival. Additionally, Gabès is home to the Bibliothèque régionale de Gabès, an institution promoting intellectual and cultural exchange. The library offers a wide range of resources and frequently hosts cultural events, workshops, and educational programs for the local community.

Tourism

Main sights

Gabès is famous for its traditional Souqs in Jarah; it is known also for its beach and the unusual seaside oasis (Gabès is located on the coast of the Mediterranean).

The most visited place in Gabès is the town Matmata.

Among the city's historical and religious landmarks, the Mosque of Sidi Boulbaba and The Mouradi school are the most notable. Also, The Zaouia of Sidi Ahmed Toujani, which is associated with the Tijani Sufi order and remains a center for spiritual gatherings.

World Heritage Status

This Oasis of Gabès was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on May 28, 2008, in the Cultural category.

Gallery

ميناء الصيد بقابس.JPG Phare de Gabès - Mai 2014.jpg كورنيش-- قابس.JPG|Korniche of Gabès Palmeraie gabès2.jpg Rond-point Bab Bhar - Gabès - 2016.jpg|Bab Bhar Gabes.jpg

Notable people

• Gladys Adda, activist, was born here in 1921
• Juliette Bessis, Tunisian historian, was born here (1925–2017)
• Silvan Shalom, Israeli politician, former minister and Knesset member
• Tahar Haddad, writer, feminist advocator, activist, reformer (1899–1935)
• Mohamed Ali El Hammi, one of the founding fathers of Tunisian syndicalism, an activist (1890–1928)

References

Notes

References

1. "Recensement Général de la Population et de l'Habitat 2014 – Population, logements et ménages par commune et arrondissement". [[National Institute of Statistics (Tunisia).
2. "Gabès". [[HarperCollins]].
3. {{Cite Merriam-Webster. Gabès
4. "Gabès". [[Oxford University Press]].
5. "Gabès {{!}} Oasis City, Mediterranean Coast".
6. 978-1-13470739-3), p. 123
7. 978-0-80784942-2), p. 15
8. [http://www.trismegistos.org/place/17132 Trismegistos, "Tacapae"]
9. ''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, {{ISBN. 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 980
10. Stefano Antonio Morcelli, [[iarchive:bub_gb_dO4-AAAAcAAJ/page/n318
11. [https://ar.wikisource.org/wiki/نزهة_المشتاق_في_اختراق_الآفاق/الإقليم_الثالث/الجزء_الثاني نزهة المشتاق في اختراق الآفاق - الإقليم الثالث، الجزء الثاني] [[Muhammad al-Idrisi]]
12. رحلة التجاني، ص 86-89، أبو محمد عبد الله بن محمد بن أحمد التجاني، الدار العربية للكتاب: ليبيا-تونس 1981
13. Victor Guérin, Voyage archéologique dans la régence de Tunis, éd. Plon, Paris, 1862, p. 190.
14. (3 April 2018). "Pour la 1ère fois: Une femme au poste de Omda, à Gabès".
15. (2024-12-01). "Influence of localized sources and meteorological conditions on dry-deposited particles: A case study of Gabès, Tunisia". Science of the Total Environment.
16. "Violence erupts during protest as anger boils in Tunisia's phosphate belt".
17. (October 17, 2025). "Gabès en ébullition: journée de colère contre la pollution et la répression policière".
18. "الرئيس التونسي يعد بـ«حلول عاجلة وشاملة» للتلوث في قابس".
19. "Période ensoleillée 1981-2010 climatiques en Tunisie". Ministère du Transport.
20. "Réseau des stations météorologiques synoptiques de la Tunisie". Ministère du Transport.
21. "Gabès Climate Normals 1961–1990".
22. . (31 July 2021). ["60765: Gabes (Tunisia)"](https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=60765&ano=2021&mes=8&day=1&hora=0&min=0&ndays=30).
23. "Gabès Climate and Weather Averages, Tunisia". Weather2Travel.
24. [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5386/ Oasis de Gabès - UNESCO World Heritage Centre]
25. (2 February 2012). "Dictionary of African Biography". OUP USA.