Medina of Sousse

Medina of Sousse
The Medina, inside
Location	Sousse, Governorate of Sousse, Tunisia
Built	Early centuries of Islam
Architectural style(s)	Islamic
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Medina of Sousse
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, iv, v
Designated	1988 (12th session)
Reference no.	[1]
Country	Tunisia
Region	Arab States
Extensions	2008
Location of the Medina

The Medina of Sousse is a Medina in Sousse, Governorate of Sousse, Tunisia. Designated by the UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1988, it is a typical example of the architecture of the early centuries of Islam in Maghreb. It encompasses a Kasbah, fortifications and a Great Mosque. The Medina today houses the Archaeological Museum of Sousse.

History

The Medina of Sousse is located in the Tunisian Sahel and forms an outstanding archeological site. First, because of the time it was built (at the dawning of Islamic civilization, making it one of the earliest construction after the Islamic conquests in Maghreb). And second, because of the location of the Medina, a site that required protection against piracy and plunder.

The constructions comprised in its precincts, witnessed the early post-conquest civilisations. It's architectural style, from the time of the Aghlabid, is representative of the military coastal constructions of the era, meant to be stout and imposing, so as to ward off foes.