The Mausoleum of Sidi Brahim is a religious building located in Annaba, Algeria. Classified as a national heritage site in 1992, it played an important role in preserving national identity before and during the colonial period.
History
The mausoleum was built by order of Ali Bey, governor of Tunis, in recognition of Sheikh Sidi Brahim Ben Toumi El Merdassi El Hillali, also known as Sidi Brahim, a mujahid and patron saint of the Sufi order in the city of Annaba.
Sidi Brahim was born in 1585 in the Merdas region (now Asfour, in the wilaya of El Tarf). He settled in Annaba, accompanied by several other saints, to fight against the Spanish occupation. Sidi Brahim pitched his tent on the banks of the Bedjima River, where he devoted himself to spiritual education until his death in 1676, near the Roman bridge of Hippo.
According to tradition, the ruler of Tunisia, Ali Bey, after being deposed, sought exile in Annaba and was warmly received by Sidi Brahim. When Ali Bey returned to power in Tunisia and had an heir, he had the mausoleum built on the site of Sidi Brahim’s tent as a token of gratitude.
The Mausoleum and Its Traditions
The Mausoleum of Sidi Brahim became an important place of pilgrimage. The dome, called “El Kobba,” was a favored spot for prayers, circumcision rites, and bridal processions.
After Algeria’s independence, the mausoleum was transformed into a mosque where prayers and Quran recitations take place. In the 1980s, the mausoleum was nearly destroyed during a city development project, but the demolition machinery broke down, preserving the building.
The mausoleum underwent two restoration projects in the early 2000s. Today, it remains an important element of the religious and cultural heritage of the city of Annaba, and the imam of the mausoleum encourages the development of religious tourism.
The Mausoleum of Sidi Brahim is a religious building located in Annaba, Algeria. Classified as a national heritage site in 1992, it played an important role in preserving national identity before and during the colonial period.
History
The mausoleum was built by order of Ali Bey, governor of Tunis, in recognition of Sheikh Sidi Brahim Ben Toumi El Merdassi El Hillali, also known as Sidi Brahim, a mujahid and patron saint of the Sufi order in the city of Annaba.
Sidi Brahim was born in 1585 in the Merdas region (now Asfour, in the wilaya of El Tarf). He settled in Annaba, accompanied by several other saints, to fight against the Spanish occupation. Sidi Brahim pitched his tent on the banks of the Bedjima River, where he devoted himself to spiritual education until his death in 1676, near the Roman bridge of Hippo.
According to tradition, the ruler of Tunisia, Ali Bey, after being deposed, sought exile in Annaba and was warmly received by Sidi Brahim. When Ali Bey returned to power in Tunisia and had an heir, he had the mausoleum built on the site of Sidi Brahim’s tent as a token of gratitude.
The Mausoleum and Its Traditions
The Mausoleum of Sidi Brahim became an important place of pilgrimage. The dome, called “El Kobba,” was a favored spot for prayers, circumcision rites, and bridal processions.
After Algeria’s independence, the mausoleum was transformed into a mosque where prayers and Quran recitations take place. In the 1980s, the mausoleum was nearly destroyed during a city development project, but the demolition machinery broke down, preserving the building.
The mausoleum underwent two restoration projects in the early 2000s. Today, it remains an important element of the religious and cultural heritage of the city of Annaba, and the imam of the mausoleum encourages the development of religious tourism.
