Sidi Bou Said (Arabic: سيدي بو سعيد Sīdi Bū Sʻīdⓘ) is a town in northern Tunisia located about 20 km northeast from the capital, Tunis.
[1] Named after a religious figure who lived there, Abu Said al-Baji, it was previously called Jbel el-Menar.
In the 12th century/13th century AD Abu Said Ibn Khalaf Yahya al-Tamimi al-Beji arrived in the village of Jabal el-Menar and established a sanctuary.
[4][5] Artists who have lived in or visited Sidi Bou Said include famous occultist Aleister Crowley, Paul Klee, Gustave-Henri Jossot, August Macke and Louis Moillet.
Former Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi was born in Sidi Bou Said,[8] as was Moufida Tlatli, film director, screenwriter, and editor.