This old village marabout was once devoted to religion. In 1207, a mystic named Abu Said Khalafa Ben Yahia settled there to develop Sufism. His death made him a saint and the hill of Sidi Bou Said became a center of spirituality.
In the old days he was quiet fishing village, it owes its international reputation to English Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger who settled there in 1912 and it was construct a sumptuous palace.  
An avid music baron opened his palace to artists of all stripes by organizing meetings and parties where mingled art, music and literature. After his death in 1932, his heirs bequeathed his assets to Tunisia. 
Currently the palace, renamed Ennejma Ezzahra, became the Music Center, Arab and Mediterranean. It is open to the public who can admire its magnificent museum of musical instruments, its architecture and gardens. Today Sidi Bou Said has become the meeting place for artists, the young bourgeoisie and foreigners in search of exoticism, several art galleries have taken up residence ...