Sousse Ribat Citadel

The Ageless Guardian That Defied Time's Grasp

Photo Credit: Trip ‘n’ Door Tunisia

The ribat, originally established in the 8th century as a refuge during Byzantine incursions, underwent significant renovation under the patronage of the Aghlabid prince Ziyadat Allah I. Despite minor modifications, the monument has preserved its original structure, with notable restorations to the north- and east-wing galleries carried out in 1722.

Constructed from stone, the ribat features a square plan with sides measuring 38 meters in length. Corner towers, adorned with merlons, flank the external facades, while semi-circular towers punctuate the walls, and a cylindrical lookout tower crowns the southeast corner—a design influenced by Abbasid minarets prevalent in the Maghreb from the late 8th century onwards.