Beja Travel information from LookLex / Tunisia Capital of fertile lands The kasbah Around the suuq Religious buildings

Town in northern Tunisia with about 50,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate), north of the Medjerda Valley. It is the capital of Beja governorate with 330,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate) and an area of 3,558 km².
Beja lies in one of Tunisia's richest agricultural areas, specializing in the growing of wheat and the raising of livestock. There is flour milling here, and a sugar refinery.
Beja has good road and rail connections to the urban centres in the east.
Beja has an older section that is one of the most authentic in the country. The Great Mosque is noted for its unusual red minaret, and an attractive kasbah dominates the town.

History
1st millennium BCE: During Punic times, the area si the site of the town of Vacca.
109: The soldiers of a Roman garrison are massacred by the locals of Vacca, wanting to prove their support for the Numidian king, Jugurtha. The Romans react by razing the town.
1st century: Under Roman overlords, Beja develops into an important agricultural market.
Around 439 CE: Is conquered and largely destroyed by the Vandals.
6th century: Rebuilt by the Byzantine ruler, Justinian.
10th century: The town is destroyed by the Khariji leader, Abu Yazid of Tozeur.
11th century: Razed by the Banu Hillal tribe.
16th century: Becomes an administrative and military centre for the Ottomans.