Ribat of Arrifana

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Faro > Aljezur > Arrifana

Location

The Ribat da Arrifana stands imposingly on Ponta da Atalaia, a rocky promontory that juts out over the ocean, in the locality of Arrifana, municipality of Aljezur. This coastal position, isolated and overlooking the sea, offers a privileged perspective of the vast coastline. On clear days, it is possible to see from Cape São Vicente to the south, to an extensive stretch of the Alentejo coast to the north.

The choice of this location, on the westernmost edge of mainland Portugal, was not accidental. Its strategic position allowed for extensive coastal surveillance, while also holding deep symbolic significance, representing, at the time of its foundation, the meeting point between land and sea, and the threshold of the then-known world.

A Spiritual Fortress

The Ribat da Arrifana is a unique testament to the Muslim presence on Portuguese territory. Built around 1130, this complex was a type of convent-fortress, inhabited by Muslim warrior monks, known as murābitūn, who embraced a life of asceticism and devotion. Its foundation is attributed to Ibn Qasi, a notable figure from Silves who led a politically and religiously influential movement in the region.

This Ribat is the only one of its kind identified in Portugal and one of the few known in the Iberian Peninsula. Its ruins are valuable for understanding Islamic history and Sufi ideals in the Iberian West. Its historical importance is reinforced by references in ancient Muslim texts and by the fact that it was a center of spiritual and military power, having been abandoned around 1151, after the assassination of its founder.

Vestiges of Life and Faith

Archaeological excavations have revealed the complex structure of this Ribat, organized into different areas that adapted to the terrain. The construction was made of stuccoed and whitewashed tapia on a masonry base, using local schists, greywackes, and sandstones. The floors were of beaten earth and the coverings, made of wood, could be thatched roofs or terraces.

Among the discovered remains, several mosques stand out, some of considerable size, all with their prayer niche (mihrab) oriented towards Mecca. There were also buildings that served as dwellings for the warrior monks and a madrasa, or Quranic school, with a large courtyard. In one area, a necropolis was discovered with dozens of graves oriented according to Islamic tradition, where epigraphized funerary stelae were found, a rare and highly valuable find for Islamic archaeology.

Objects of Daily Life

Despite the Ribat's short period of occupation, the recovered artifacts offer a glimpse into the daily lives of its inhabitants. Fragments of simple pottery, such as bowls, jugs, and pots, were found, reflecting the frugality associated with Sufi ideals. Additionally, objects related to activities such as spinning, weaving, hunting, and fishing were discovered, including mollusk remains and animal bones.

Among the most significant findings are also pieces with a more spiritual character, such as schist plaques with religious inscriptions and amulets. The presence of these objects, along with the human remains found in the necropolis, offers an intimate perspective on the communal, ascetic, and sometimes combative life that unfolded in this place centuries ago.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt