International Conference on Fortifications of the Mediterranean Coast FORTMED 2026

Kasbah Mehdiya is a historic military citadel at the mouth of the Sebou River on Morocco's Atlantic coast, about 12 km from Kenitra. Its strategic location made it a key outpost for logistics, military, and commerce. Despite its importance, historical research has mainly focused on the Spanish and Alaouite periods, while its Almohad origins remain underexplored. This study offers an interdisciplinary analysis aimed at critically reconstructing the site's earliest construction phases. Through a comparative study of ten Almohad fortresses in Morocco, Spain, and Algeria, the research combines historical and architectural analysis with systematic documentation of the surviving structures. Surveying employed drone-based photogrammetry and SLAM technologies, providing a reliable metric basis for interpretation. Rather than advancing digital data workflows, the project emphasizes a historically grounded reading of the Kasbah’s origins and early transformations. References to HBIM and heritage ontologies are limited, pointing to future strategies for semantic data integration and conservation planning. Supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the project offers a new interpretation of the Almohad phase of Kasbah Mehdiya and contributes to its integrated conservation and enhancement.