El Kef

File:Roads of kef by night 02.jpg

The highest-elevated city of Tunisia, at {{convert|780|m}}, its metropolitan area reaches {{convert|2500|ha}} of which {{convert|45|ha}} lie within the interior of the old walled Medina quarter.

The municipality of El Kef is shared between two national delegates, East Kef and West Kef, which correspond to the two municipal boroughs.

File:El Kef roman baths, mosque and casbah.jpg.]]

File:Fort of El Kef.jpg (17th and 18th century).]]

File:Fort of El Kef and surroundings.jpg

First known by the name of Sicca during the Carthaginian era, then later Sicca Veneria during the rise of Roman domination,{{cite book|title=Tunisia|author= Anthony Ham, Abigail Hole|year=2004|publisher=Lonely Planet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z4lQNCHfS4gC&q=Tunisia+%22El+Kef%22&pg=PA142|isbn=1-74104-189-9}} the city has carried numerous names throughout its history: Colonia Julia Cirta, Cirta Nova, Sikka Beneria, Shaqbanariya and finally El Kef since the 16th century.

El Kef has since ancient times been the principal city of the High-Tell Mountains and of the Tunisian northwest of which it constituted, until recently, the political center, the most important religious center, and the dominant stronghold.

The Roman colony of Sicca Veneria appears from the character of its worship of Venus to have been a Phoenician settlement.Valerius Maximus ii. 6, § 15 It was afterwards a Numidian stronghold, and under the Caesars became a fashionable residential city and one of the chief centres of Christianity in North Africa. The Christian apologist Arnobius the Elder lived here.{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Kef|volume=15|page=714}}

The Roman remains include fragments of a large temple dedicated to Hercules, and of the baths. The ancient cisterns remain. There are ruins of a Christian basilica, the apse being intact and the narthex serving as a church. Many stones with Roman inscriptions are built into the walls of houses.

In the early 5th century Apiarius of Sicca was a priest here, and instigated a dispute between the churches of Carthage and Rome concerning the jurisdiction of the Bishops of Africa when he appealed to the church of Rome against his excommunication by the church of Carthage.

Around 439, invading Vandals conquered the African Romans near the coast. Eventually, El Kef became part of a Berber Kingdom.

In 688 AD, the city was raided during the Umayyad conquest of North Africa.

In the 17th century, a Kasbah of Le Kef was built to house a permanent garrison (ujaq); the construction was completed by the addition of fortified ramparts in 1740. This did not however prevent the taking and pillaging of the city by the Algerians in 1756, nor the occupation by the French military from 1881, following the partial collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

On July 8, 1884, the authorities of the new French Protectorate declared El Kef a municipality, one of the first in the country.Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb, Johannes Hendrik Kramers, Bernard Lewis, Charles Pellat et Joseph Schacht, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, volume IV, éd. Brill, Leyde, 1954, p. 403

In 1973, there was a summit meeting here between the Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba and the Algerian president Houari Boumédiène. The latter proposed a constitution for a Tunisian-Algerian union which Bourguiba declined in favor of the development of economic cooperation between the two countries.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Twz0kOnCxXYC&q=kef+1973+boumediene&pg=PA218 |author=Nicole Grimaud|title=La politique extérieure de l'Algérie (1962-1978)|edition=Karthala|location=Paris|year=1984|pages=218–219|isbn=9782865371112}}

The climate is usually unstable, ranging from summer heat waves to winter snow blizzards.

{{Weather box

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|location = El Kef (1991–2020, extremes 1951–present)

|Jan record high C = 25.0

|Feb record high C = 31.5

|Mar record high C = 34.4

|Apr record high C = 36.3

|May record high C = 42.4

|Jun record high C = 44.6

|Jul record high C = 46.5

|Aug record high C = 47.0

|Sep record high C = 42.6

|Oct record high C = 37.9

|Nov record high C = 30.7

|Dec record high C = 28.0

|year record high C = 47.0

|Jan high C = 13.7

|Feb high C = 14.5

|Mar high C = 17.9

|Apr high C = 21.5

|May high C = 27.0

|Jun high C = 32.5

|Jul high C = 36.0

|Aug high C = 35.7

|Sep high C = 30.3

|Oct high C = 25.6

|Nov high C = 19.0

|Dec high C = 14.8

|year high C = 24.0

|Jan mean C = 8.4

|Feb mean C = 8.9

|Mar mean C = 11.4

|Apr mean C = 14.5

|May mean C = 19.2

|Jun mean C = 24.1

|Jul mean C = 27.2

|Aug mean C = 27.3

|Sep mean C = 23.3

|Oct mean C = 19.0

|Nov mean C = 13.2

|Dec mean C = 9.6

|year mean C = 17.2

|Jan low C = 3.0

|Feb low C = 3.2

|Mar low C = 5.0

|Apr low C = 7.5

|May low C = 11.4

|Jun low C = 15.7

|Jul low C = 18.4

|Aug low C = 18.8

|Sep low C = 16.3

|Oct low C = 12.4

|Nov low C = 7.5

|Dec low C = 4.4

|year low C = 10.3

|Jan record low C = -6.0

|Feb record low C = -5.0

|Mar record low C = -5.0

|Apr record low C = -4.0

|May record low C = 1.2

|Jun record low C = 4.0

|Jul record low C = 8.5

|Aug record low C = 9.0

|Sep record low C = 2.5

|Oct record low C = 1.0

|Nov record low C = -3.0

|Dec record low C = -5.0

|year record low C = -6.0

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 60.5

|Feb precipitation mm = 44.0

|Mar precipitation mm = 50.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 45.2

|May precipitation mm = 45.3

|Jun precipitation mm = 23.5

|Jul precipitation mm = 8.1

|Aug precipitation mm = 19.9

|Sep precipitation mm = 43.0

|Oct precipitation mm = 37.2

|Nov precipitation mm = 45.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 49.1

|year precipitation mm = 472.0

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 7.6

|Feb precipitation days = 6.8

|Mar precipitation days = 7.2

|Apr precipitation days = 6.3

|May precipitation days = 5.4

|Jun precipitation days = 3.2

|Jul precipitation days = 1.3

|Aug precipitation days = 3.3

|Sep precipitation days = 5.6

|Oct precipitation days = 5.1

|Nov precipitation days = 5.7

|Dec precipitation days = 7.2

|year precipitation days = 64.7

|Jan humidity = 79.0

|Feb humidity = 76.0

|Mar humidity = 75.0

|Apr humidity = 73.5

|May humidity = 68.5

|Jun humidity = 64.2

|Jul humidity = 57.7

|Aug humidity = 59.6

|Sep humidity = 67.3

|Oct humidity = 71.9

|Nov humidity = 76.1

|Dec humidity = 79.5

|year humidity =

|Jan sun = 163.6

|Feb sun = 171.9

|Mar sun = 216.0

|Apr sun = 224.9

|May sun = 276.6

|Jun sun = 307.8

|Jul sun = 348.5

|Aug sun = 305.7

|Sep sun = 240.9

|Oct sun = 216.9

|Nov sun = 174.9

|Dec sun = 151.2

|year sun =

|source 1 = Institut National de la Météorologie (humidity 1961-1990, sun 1981–2010){{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191219211209/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/9e1ed3a1-69f5-4ef9-a05e-daa8126fdb7c/resource/acf0d32e-92b3-4247-9281-1b3a1587d23f/download/normales_1981_2010.txt

| archive-date = 19 December 2019

| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/9e1ed3a1-69f5-4ef9-a05e-daa8126fdb7c/resource/acf0d32e-92b3-4247-9281-1b3a1587d23f

| title = Les normales climatiques en Tunisie entre 1981 2010

| publisher = Ministère du Transport

| language = fr

| access-date = 25 January 2020}}{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221032155/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/c8d4b465-056c-41e2-a666-05160d19784e/resource/3d38ac83-8a3c-4207-b327-9684131292b3/download/normales_1961_1990.txt

| archive-date = 21 December 2019

| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/normales-climatiques-en-tunisie-entre-1961-1990/resource/3d38ac83-8a3c-4207-b327-9684131292b3

| title = Données normales climatiques 1961-1990

| publisher = Ministère du Transport

| language = fr

| access-date = 25 January 2020}}{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221032448/http://data.transport.tn/dataset/b19bf5d3-5f47-43a3-befc-80a4f4f1d267/resource/0f4ff280-9f86-4e4f-bc18-29df886c2a30/download/extremes.txt

| archive-date = 21 December 2019

| url = http://data.transport.tn/dataset/extremes-climatiques-en-tunisie/resource/0f4ff280-9f86-4e4f-bc18-29df886c2a30

| title = Les extrêmes climatiques en Tunisie

| publisher = Ministère du Transport

| language = fr

| access-date = 25 January 2020}}{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221032448/https://www.meteo.tn/index.php/donnees-climatiques | archive-date = 21 December 2019 | url = https://www.meteo.tn/index.php/donnees-climatiques | title = Période ensoleillée 1981-2010 climatiques en Tunisie | publisher = Ministère du Transport | language = fr | access-date = 26 December 2019}}{{refn|group=note|name=Station ID|The Station ID for Le Kef is 23232111.{{cite web |url=http://data.transport.tn/dataset/reseau-des-stations-meteorologiques-synoptiques/resource/9d68c101-4789-4e6a-bdff-8952d727c0c1 |title=Réseau des stations météorologiques synoptiques de la Tunisie |publisher=Ministère du Transport |language=fr |access-date=25 January 2020}}}}

|source 2 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/Tunisia/CSV/LeKef_60732.csv

| title = Climate Normals 1991-2020

| website = NOAA.gov

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = 18 September 2018}}

}}

File:Sidi Bou Makhlouf roof.jpg

El Kef contains a certain number of Islamic religious edifices, in its role as the center of a Sufi movement. The Sidi Bou Makhlouf Mausoleum is believed to hold the tomb of the founder of the Aissawa order in Tunisia, Sidi Bou Makhlouf. El-Qadiriyya Mosque is also a significant Sufi mosque, particularly for the Qadiriyya order.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-28 |title=مساجد لها تاريخ .. جامع القادرية بالكاف ..معلم أثري تأثرت عمارته بالطابع الأندلسي |url=https://www.alchourouk.com/article/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AF-%D9%84%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%A3%D8%AB%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%A3%D8%AB%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=جريدة الشروق التونسية |language=ar}}

A legacy of the old local Jewish community, the synagogue of the Ghriba is the object of veneration by Jews of the region, who come in pilgrimage each year during the week marked by the festival of Sukkot.

In the city is the mausoleum of Ali Tukie, the father of Al-Husayn I ibn Ali at-Turki, founder of the Husainid dynasty which ruled Tunisia from 1705 to 1957.

The vestiges, well preserved, of a three-naved Roman basilica dating from the beginning of the 5th century named Dar El Kous, dedicated to Saint Peter, have been discovered.François Baratte, Féthi Béjaoui et Zeïneb Ben Abdallah, Recherches archéologiques à Haïdra : miscellanea, 2, éd. École française de Rome, Rome, 1999, p. 73Charles Diehl, L'Afrique byzantine : histoire de la domination byzantine en Afrique. 533-709, éd. Franklin, New York, 1959, p. 422

The enormous Jugurtha Tableland mesa is visible from El Kef.

The Museum of the Popular Arts and Traditions of El Kef, housed within a museum built in the 18th century, presents collections which retrace the social habits and customs which prevailed before the independence of the country.

The Bou Makhlouf festival is held in July each year. The Saliha Festival is held once every other year. The latter takes its name from the singer Saliha who hails from the region.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

It is the seat of the National Center for the Dramatic and Scenic Arts of El Kef.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} The city also organizes the festival of "24 hours of non-stop theatre".{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

The cuisine of El Kef has two recipes specific to the region. First, a typical regional bread, mjamaa or khobz el aid, is prepared at festival times, covered with an egg and decorated with pastry. Second, borzgane is a type of couscous lightly sweetened by alternating layers of dry fruits, dates, and lamb meat.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

The Festival of Mayou, also known as the Festival of Borzgane, brings the traditional Keffish couscous up to contemporary taste.

The city council is composed of 22 members, including a president, vice president, borough chief, six assistants and thirteen counselors.

Schools, institutes, and faculties include the El Kef Higher Institute of Applied Studies in the Humanities, El Kef Higher Institute of Music and Theatre, El Kef Higher Institute of Information Technology, El Kef Higher Institute of Physical Education, El Kef Graduate School of Agriculture, and El Kef Higher Institute of Nursing Science.

Radio Le Kef, the regional radio service founded November 7, 1991, covers the northwest of the country.

File:Gare du Kef.jpg

The transportation company of El Kef is the only company offering a public transit service by bus. The city is linked with surrounding cities by a network of taxis called louage, and with the capital, Tunis, by a regional railway line passing through Dahmani.

In sports, the Olympique du Kef, city soccer club founded in 1922 won the 2009-2010 League II Championship.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

The El Kef Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education runs the annual Tunisian Women's Soccer Championship.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

El Kef has had a sister-city relationship since 1993 with Bourg-en-Bresse, France, officially sealed in 1999 and 2000 with the signing of an agreement of exchange and friendship.

In 1855, John Henry Newman published a novel, Callista, which was set in Sicca Veneria in the 3rd century AD (Roman era).

• Lactantius (c. 250-325), early Christian writer, advisor to Roman emperor Constantine.
• Arnobius ( d. 330), mentioned by Jerome as being a teacher in Sicca Veneria.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}
• Caelius Aurelianus, c. 5th century physician and medical writer, he translated works by Soranus from Greek into Latin.
• St. Fulgentius of Ruspe was ordered to be scourged here by an Arian priest in 499Butlers "Lives of the Saints"{{clarify|reason=need more specific tie to El Kef, page, etc. This is probably online|date=July 2015}}

El Kef.jpg

Table de Jugurtha 01.JPG

El Kasba, le kef.jpg

El Kef Kasbah View.jpg

Les ruines du kef 1.jpg

KEf, the city.jpg

Roads of kef by night 10.jpg

Roads of kef by night 04.jpg

{{Reflist}}

{{Reflist|group=note}}

• Tahar Ayachi, El Kef, éd. Office national du tourisme tunisien, Tunis, 2007
• Abdelhamid Larguèche [sous la dir. de], Revoir El Kef, éd. MC-Editions, Carthage, 2005 {{ISBN|9973-807-50-2}}
• Camille Mifort, Vivre au Kef. Quand la Tunisie était française, éd. MC-Editions, Carthage, 2008
• Cornelia Smet, Si ma grand-mère était Keffoise, éd. MC-Editions, Carthage, 2005 {{ISBN|9973-807-55-3}}

{{Commons category|Le Kef}}

{{Portal|Africa}}

• [http://www.elkef.info Site sur la ville du Kef]
• [http://www.archeo-rome.com/elkef.htm Voyage archéologique et historique aux origines de l'ancienne Cirta]
• [http://lexicorient.com/tunisia/kef.htm Lexicorient] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124132822/http://lexicorient.com/tunisia/kef.htm |date=2010-11-24 }}

{{Phoenician cities}}

{{Romano-Berber cities in Roman Africa}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Tunisia

Category:Communes of Tunisia

Category:Roman sites in Tunisia

Category:Phoenician cities

Category:Populated places established in the 3rd century BC

Category:Maghreb