UNESCOMedinasSahel
Sousse Medina & Ribat
Aghlabid fortress-monastery and mosque inside intact city walls
The medina of Sousse, a World Heritage Site since 1988, is one of the best examples of an early Islamic coastal town. It is still enclosed by its 9th-century walls. Near the lower gate stands the Ribat, a fortified monastery where soldier-monks guarded the coast; you can climb its round watchtower for views over the rooftops and the port. Next to it, the Great Mosque of 851 has a plain, fortress-like courtyard. At the top of the medina, the kasbah houses the Archaeological Museum, known for its large collection of Roman mosaics. Between them, souks sell spices, leather and textiles.
Highlights
- Ribat watchtower views
- Great Mosque courtyard
- Archaeological Museum mosaics in the kasbah
- 9th-century city walls
- Covered souks
