>Borj El Kastil (برج القسطيل) is one of the few forts from medieval times that was partially spared. It is located at the tip of Ras Kastil, a peninsula located 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 degradation due to the sea which during rainy periods invades the land around the Borj, which is barely above the current sea level. The fort of Borj El Kastil is a square 40 m on a 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 Meninx, he placed an important garrison there at the time. It was initially called "Castello", before taking the name of Borj El Kastil.
Recovered by the inhabitants of the island in 1335, the fortress is now only a well-preserved ruin, and visible only from the outside. The fort was restored for the first time in the 15th century by the Hafsid sultan, then again in the 16th century by the Ottomans and in the 17th century by Hammouda Pasha Bey. Not far from the Borj there is the sanctuary of Sidi Marcil (Saint Marcel) where even today women who cannot have children come with the hope of being able to become pregnant. By decree of September 1, 2000, Borj El Kastil is part of the list of protected and classified historical and archaeological monuments of the governorate of Medenine, list established by the National Institute of Heritage. (Various sources: Petit Futé by Dominique Auzias, wikipedia, marhba.com, jerba.be, wikimania, National Institute of Heritage).
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