The Muslim West / Defence

The establishment of a defensive system.

Fortifications in the Muslim West were erected for two reasons: to defend borders and to consolidate power over conquered lands that were continually threatened by internal conflicts. Construction of defensive structures was initially sporadic and designed to suppress rebellious local populations. More complex defensive systems were subsequently developed throughout the West under Almohad rule, and were later adapted to counter new attacking strategies that employed catapults, battering rams and assault towers.


NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Merida CitadelHegira 220 / AD 835Umayyad of al-Andalus, Emirate periodMerida, Badajoz, SpainUnlike isolated fortifications, the defence system at Merida was based on complementary constructions such as multiple enclosures and strong towers and walls.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Merida CitadelHegira 220 / AD 835Umayyad of al-Andalus, Emirate periodMerida, Badajoz, SpainUnlike isolated fortifications, the defence system at Merida was based on complementary constructions such as multiple enclosures and strong towers and walls.
Merida CitadelHegira 220 / AD 835Umayyad of al-Andalus, Emirate periodMerida, Badajoz, SpainUnlike isolated fortifications, the defence system at Merida was based on complementary constructions such as multiple enclosures and strong towers and walls.
Islamic wallHegira second half of 6th / AD second half of 12th centuryAlmohadSilves, Faro, PortugalUnlike isolated fortifications, the defence system at Silves was based on complementary constructions such as multiple enclosures, and strong towers and walls.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Islamic wallHegira second half of 6th / AD second half of 12th centuryAlmohadSilves, Faro, PortugalUnlike isolated fortifications, the defence system at Silves was based on complementary constructions such as multiple enclosures, and strong towers and walls.
Islamic wallHegira second half of 6th / AD second half of 12th centuryAlmohadSilves, Faro, PortugalUnlike isolated fortifications, the defence system at Silves was based on complementary constructions such as multiple enclosures, and strong towers and walls.
Fragment of a commemorative plaqueHegira 437 / AD 1046Fatimid-ZiridMuseum of Islamic Art
Raqqada, Kairouan, Tunisia
Some fortifications were financed by sovereigns or rulers, whose names would be mentioned on the foundation plaque.
Commemorative plaqueHegira 624 / AD 1227AlmohadInfante D. Henrique Archaeological and Lapidary Museum
Faro, Portugal
Some fortifications were financed by sovereigns or rulers, whose names would be mentioned on the foundation plaque.
Foundation plaqueHegira 357 / AD 968Umayyads of al-Andalus, Caliphate periodNational Archaeological Museum
Madrid, Spain
Some fortifications were financed by sovereigns or rulers, whose names would be mentioned on the foundation plaque.