ribāṭ
Quick Summary
A ribat was a fortified Islamic monastery or inn, primarily established in the 8th century to house warriors for the faith who protected the empire's frontiers. These institutions can be found in Central Asia, Anatolia, and North Africa, with well-preserved examples in Tunisia, such as the one at Sousse. The ribat at Sousse is a square, fortified structure with a central courtyard, featuring rooms on two stories and an oratory. While it shares characteristics with secular architecture, its unique form and function as a religious and defensive outpost make it a distinct type of early Islamic building.12
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