Ribat Complex

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The Ribat Complex is the major tourist attraction in the city of Monastir together with the Mosque of Bourguiba . It was maintly constructed in the 8th century (796AD) after the Islam Conquest of Tunisia . It is regarded as a good example for the Islamic Military Architecture in that period with its complex structure and numerous passageways and staircases .

The original building of the Ribat or Ribat de Harthama was covering a very small area which is occupied with the central courtyard and the Islamic Art Museum currently . The building was restored and redecorated for several times throughout history and this left the building as an evocative structure void of any uniformity of style . In the 9th Century , the Aghlabids enlarged the building and supplied it with some accommodations and services for men and women . They established built-in accommodation for defenders and a small courtyard known as the women's ribat , with its own prayer room and accommodation . In the 17th C . , the Ottoman leaders restored the building and added the beautiful octagonal corners to the Ribat .

Within the fortresss of Ribat Complex , stands the Museum of Islamic Art that occupies the site of the prayer room and displays a marvelous collection of exhibits from various reigns throughout history of Tunisia .
The resonating fame of the Ribat Complex increased after filming some famous movies in it to make use of the Islamic architecture and the historical atmosphere of the building . It was the location of scenes of Franco Zeffirelli's movie Life of Christ and other movies such as Jesus of Nazareth .