Etymology

Takapes, the ancient name of Gabès, is a Numidian (Berber) toponym. Later, the prefix "Ta" (meaning "to" 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^[5][6] or Tacape (Τακάπη in Ancient greek) or Tacapes^[7] 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.^[8]

Three of its bishops are known:^[9]

• 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).

After the Roman and Christian period

• 7th century: The Umayyad Caliphate conquest. Muhammed's companion Sidi Abu Lubaba Al'Ansari settles in Gabès.
• 1148: The Zirids sack Gabés
• 1574: Gabès becomes part of the Eyalet of Tunis after the Ottoman conquest.
• 1881: Gabès comes under a French protectorate.
• 1940: Following the Fall of France, Gabès comes under German control.
• 1941: Gabès pogrom
• 1943: Gabès returns to French control with the help of the British (in the Mareth Line). The operation results in serious damage to the city infrastructure.
• 1945: The rebuilding of Gabès starts.
• 1956: Gabès reverts to Tunisian control with the independence of Tunisia from the French.

Railways

Gabès is terminus of a narrow gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) 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.

Overview

Gabès is famous for its traditional Souqs in Jarah; it is known also for its attractive beach and the unusual seaside oasis (Gabès is located on the coast of the Mediterranean). The best parts of the beach are in the south of the city (Road to Djerba). The best one is the Lemawa or Lemaya beach. The government is planning to build a tourist zone there in the coming years. Gabès has a unique feature in the world, in this city you find the mountain, the sea, the oasis and the desert. The streets of Gabès come alive at night during Ramadan, where sooks (shops) are open on the streets and parties happen almost every day in the night during Ramadan. The most visited place in Gabès is the town Matmata.

Place to visit:

• The traditional souks
• The Kornich
• Mosque of Sidi Boulbaba
• The Mouradi school
• Zaouia Sidi Ahmed Toujani

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on May 28, 2008, in the Cultural category.^[18]