Sousse Ribat

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Photo by flickr user ahisgett

This ribat, in the tradition of these small forts built ot house the 'warriors of faith', is built off a square plan with a square tower supporting a round watchtower. Three of the fort’s corners have their own rounded towers and there are semi-circular towers at the mid points of the walls as well. And it all looks something like a medieval castle made of pale Lego.

This is one of the better preserved ribats, not just for its intact defences, but also for the decoration on the arch above its entryway and in other places within the two floors of the building. There is a third floor – the roof, which again has a look of medieval meets Lego – which came in very useful when defending the fort, along with the slits for windows. The fort has survived, in much the same layout since its founding in the 8th Century, and has been repaired but not really altered.

The fort’s mosque, a key part of the complex considering the ribat's army were religious volunteers, is on the southern side, beyond a courtyard that fills most of the square internal space.

There's an impressive view of the town and the harbour to be had from the roof.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers

There are no posts. Why not be the first to have your say?