The Kasbah of Bizerte
The Kasbah of Bizerte is located north of the old port, it has only one entrance from the west side. It has small dimensions: approximately 175m by 120m and has 8 towers and a walkway. It was built in the 17th century.
On the other side of the canal, the kasbah raises its ramparts above the medina: it is accessed for the beautiful view of the city, the port, the lake and the sea. The origins of this fortress date back to the time of the Byzantine occupation: rectangular in shape, a tower occupies each corner.
The entrance to the kasbah is a narrow arched chicane designed to slow down any invaders at the time trying to enter. The interior of the fortress is a maze of small streets lined with houses. At the foot of the northwest rampart, the market place comes alive with the cries of the merchants, and the stalls give the impression of an organized jumble.
Beyond stretches the Andalusian quarter, where Moors from Spain came to take refuge in the 17th century.
Further on, connected by a rampart of the kasbah, we can see the silhouette of the fort of Spain, which overlooks Bizerte at about forty meters above sea level on a height to the north. This fort dates from 1573, built during the time of Turkish domination, by the Pasha of Algiers.
It is built in such a way as to be able to face the artillery, composed of thirteen sides with re-entrant angles. Now far from any threat, the fort has since been redeveloped into an open-air theatre, which notably hosts the Bizerte International Festival (music, dance, film)
The Kasbah of Bizerte in Video
Where to Find The Kasbah of Bizerte
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before visiting
The Kasbah of Bizerte is a 17th-century Ottoman fortification dominating the old harbour of Bizerte. The site incorporates an earlier Spanish fort built in 1573, which was seized by the Ottomans. The complex measures approximately 175 by 120 metres and is defended by eight towers.
The Fort of Spain (Borj el Kébir) was built by Philip II of Spain in 1573 during a period of Spanish control over Bizerte. After the Ottomans retook the city, it was integrated into the larger kasbah complex.
The Fort of Spain section has been converted into an open-air theatre and hosts performances during the Bizerte International Festival each summer. Parts of the kasbah walls and towers can be visited, offering views over the old harbour and the lagoon.
The kasbah overlooks the picturesque old port of Bizerte, lined with fishing boats and colourful cafe terraces. Nearby is the Andalusian-influenced medina, the Great Mosque, and the access channel connecting the lagoon to the sea, all walkable from the kasbah.
Bizerte is about 65 kilometres north of Tunis. Regular buses and louages depart from the northern bus stations in Tunis, and the journey takes roughly one hour. Within Bizerte, the kasbah is in the old city, walkable from the main bus stop.
Spring and autumn are ideal for the mild temperatures. Visiting during the Bizerte International Festival in summer adds the dimension of performances in the open-air theatre within the fort.
