The Genoese Fort of Tabarka

The Genoese Fort of Tabarka reopened its doors to the public on Independence Day 2016. This reopening followed a closure that lasted 30 years. The Association of History and Monuments of Tabarka (AHMT) made this possible. Tabarka’s natural wealth and commercial potential attracted many settlers over the centuries. The first fortifications of the promontory formed the initial castle mound. Later, the Spaniards outsmarted the Ottoman corsairs. They established a presidio there for coral fishing.

In 1542, the powerful Genoese banking family, the Lomellini, took command of the fort. They obtained the agreement of the King of Sicily, who represented Charles V. This agreement served as a counterpart to war debts the Spaniards had contracted. It was also a gratuity for the capture of Dragut, a famous corsair. Dragut was the right arm of Kheirredine Barbarossa. The Genoese captured him off the coast of Corsica. The island became governed by numerous administrative regulations. It organized around the authority of the Lomellini and the Church.

The Genoese Fort : Decline and Legacy

To face the many risks threatening the island’s prosperity, the fortifications continued to rise. The fort became a rock on which all attack attempts ended in failure. The Genoese then sought to cede their counter to the French. However, they did not notify the Bey of Tunis. In his rage, the Bey sent his fleet to attack the island. However, it was through trickery that his nephew brought the island to its knees. He invited all the dignitaries of the island on board his ship. Then he threw them into the galley and sacked the rock. This happened in 1742, marking the end of the Genoese counter.

Ali Pasha retained control over fishing and the coral trade until 1781. In that year, the French established the Royal African Company there. During the protectorate, the French settled outside the fort’s walls. They built a European-style city, creating the Tabarka we know today, facing the almost-island. During World War II, Free French troops used the fort as a base. They closed the maritime access between Tunisia and Algeria. Ultimately, the Genoese Fort of Tabarka offers a fascinating journey into Tunisia’s coastal history.