The Ribat

Geographical location

Occupying the most strategic site in Monastir City, the Ribat is built in the North-East of the city on the highest hill; from its lookout tower, you can get a full view of the sea and the earth epanse. It lies in a unique urban network in Tunisia marked by the presense of two other Ribats, (Ribat sidi Dhwib IX C.) and (Ribat as-sayeda XI C.), a Big Mosque ( IX C-XI C.) and two oratories dating from the XI C. (Masjid at-tawba and Masjid al-ansar).

Description

The Ribat was built in 178 H / 795 A.C. 179 H / 796 A. C. by the governor Harthama ibn Ayoun on the orders of the Abbasside Caliph in Iraq Haroun Arrachid. The first military and religious monument of its kind, it soon became a centre of devotion and an Arab defensive refuge against the abrupt attacks of Byzantine or Roman fleet . In peaceful periods, it played an important cultural and educational role. It has been modified several times through its history.