It was later ruined during the 7th-century Arab invasion but was recovered by Sidi Boulbaba, a revered companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a patron of the town.

Although it experienced decline under the Ottomans, Gabès saw significant growth under French rule from 1881 to 1955, with the development of key infrastructure, including a railway, road network, and port.

During World War II, the city served as the headquarters for Germany’s Afrika Korps until British and French forces retook it in 1943.

Today, Gabès is a thriving commercial hub and oasis, with industries spanning fishing, agriculture, textiles, cement, brick manufacturing, and petrochemicals.

Gabès itself is a small, well-developed city, and it also has a market near the sea, with many merchants, silk traders, and vendors.

The two main towns are named Djara and Menzel, and among the villages, the most notable is Ghenneni.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: The fast-growing numbers of factories has resulted in fairly serious pollution in the area and the Gulf of Gabès.

Gabès has a unique feature in the world, in this city you find the mountain, the sea, the oasis and the desert.

Place to visit: This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on May 28, 2008, in the Cultural category.