Sousse - Ribat
|
|
Northwest of the Great Mosque in Sousse rises the tower of the Ribat, a conspicuous landmark in the town and one of the finest examples of Islamic religious architecture in Tunisia. This was one of the chain of fortified monasteries built by the Aghlabids along the coasts of Tunisia around 800, only a few of which have been preserved. The ribats were occupied by warrior monks, fighters in the "holy war", who in times of peace devoted themselves to their religious duties and worked for the propagation of the faith in the interior of the country. In times of danger the ribats offered the population protection from enemy attack and served as bases for offensive and defensive action against the enemy. It has been suggested that these Muslim warrior monks provided a model which was followed in the later Christian knightly orders.
With the construction of the Kasbah at the southwest corner of the Medina the Ribat lost its military significance, and from the 11th century it gradually fell into a state of disrepair.
With the construction of the Kasbah at the southwest corner of the Medina the Ribat lost its military significance, and from the 11th century it gradually fell into a state of disrepair.
Read More
Read LessHours:
April 1 to September 15: 8am-7pm
September 16 to March 31: 8am-5:30pm
Tips: During the summer various cultural events are staged in the Ribat.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
Read More
