Mahdia and the Mediterranean

Part of Mahdia's charm lies with its maritime heritage. Its fishing port is one of the most important in Tunisia and the local speciality is sardines, caught by lamplight. The flicker of a thousand candles illuminating the sea when the trawlers set off is a fascinating sight on summer evenings. "It is at the first light of summer that the port is at its most animated, when the fishermen announce their return bringing with them hundreds and thousands of crates packed with sardines, anchovies and herrings, all caught on the high seas".