Borj El Kastil (برج القسطيل) is one of the few medieval fortresses that has been partially spared. It is located at the tip of Ras Kastil, a peninsula southeast of Djerba, 10 km east of El Kantara. The ruins of Fort Kastil in Djerba are located in a natural area classified as a local nature reserve. Unfortunately, it is in an advanced state of decay due to the sea encroaching during rainy seasons on the land around the Borj, which is barely above today's sea level. The Fortress of Borj El Kastil is a square, 40m on each side, with ramparts 12 m high and 1.30 m thick. It was built around 1289 by the Aragonese conquistador Roger de Lauria near the ancient city of Meninx, who placed an important garrison there at the time. It was first called "Castello" before taking the name Borj El Kastil. The fortress was recovered by the islanders in 1335 and is now just a well-preserved ruin, visible only from the outside. The fort was first restored by the Hafsid Sultan in the 15th century, then again by the Ottomans in the 16th century and by Hammouda Pasha Bey in the 17th century. Not far from Borj is the sanctuary of Sidi Marcil (Saint Marcel), where even today women who cannot have children come hoping to become pregnant. By decree of September 1, 2000, Borj El Kastil was included in the list of protected and classified historical and archaeological monuments of the Medenine Governorate, drawn up by the National Institute of Heritage. (Various sources: Petit Futé by Dominique Auzias, wikipedia, marhba.com, jerba.be, wikimania, National Institute of Heritage).
Translated by Google •
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