Sidi Boulbaba is the patron saint of Gabès, and the mosque-shrine complex named for him is the main religious monument of the city. Local tradition holds that the saint was Abu Lubaba al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad — although the historical evidence for this is thin, the belief is deep-rooted and the shrine has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries.
The present mosque dates mostly from the 17th century but incorporates older elements. The minaret is the most photogenic part, an elegant whitewashed shaft visible from much of the lower town. A small Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions in the former medersa next door displays jewellery, costumes, and household objects from the region — a low-key but worthwhile collection. The mosque itself is closed to non-Muslims but the courtyard and museum can be visited.