|
The Medina of Kairouan is a vibrant, living Arab-Islamic art and architecture museum thanks to its monuments (more than 100), its souks (markets), its houses and (narrow) streets that still eloquently reflect its glorious past. This historical, architectural and spiritual value have qualified it for classification in UNESCO’s World Heritage sites and monuments.
24 monuments have successively been classified since the turn of the XXth century. However, the most important monuments are the following (11). For more details, see History of Kairouan :
Horaires de visite :
Big Mosque : everyday from 8 am to 2 pm, except Friday from 8 am to 12am.
Barber’s Mosque: everyday from 8 am to 6 pm, except Friday from 8 am to 1 pm.
Sidi Amor Abada and Raqqada Museums: everyday from 9 am to 4 pm, except Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, and Monday (closed)
: 6 Dinars (ca. 3.6 Euros) for the whole monuments to pay in the office of the National Agency for Patrimony and Culture Promotion (opposite the Continental Hotel).
Ticket prices :
Six dinars tunisiens (3,6 Euro) pour l'ensemble des monuments à visiter à payer au siège de l'Agence de Mise en Valeur du Patrimoine et de Promotion Culturelle située en face de l'Hotel Continental-Kairouan.
Guided tours :
Guided tours can be booked by contacting info@kairouan.org Gsm : 98 308 224 Fax : 77 281 204.
 |
The Great Mosque
Founded in the 7th century, of its present
structure however dates back to the 9th century.
The large prayer room with its 200 marble pillars, 250 carved wooden panels, Minbar,17 heavy cedar wood doors, huge ‘Maqsura’ and stunnig Mihrab, open to an immense courtyard dominated by the oldest standing Minaret in the world.
The building is supported by Roman and Byzantine
columns, capitals and stones. |
| |
The Abi Zamaa El Balaoui Mausoleum (or ‘Barber’s Mosque)
This is the burial place of a companion of the prophet Mohammad (peace be up on him). A shrine of a great spiritual significance and frequently visited by the local people and foreign Muslim worshippers.
Decorated with extreme richness ,the Mausoleum with its dome, courtyard, prayer room, minaret and religious school (‘Medersa’), is a very attractive museum with lavish Islamic ornamentation on marbles, stones, tiles and wood. |
 |
| |
 |
The Three Door Mosque
Its is famous for the rare Arabic-Kufi inscriptions on its facade, which is still intact since the 9th century.
This mosque features three arched doorways providing separate entrances for children, women and men.
|
| |
The souks of Kairouan
These traditional ‘market-places’ are a labyrinth of
covered alleyways that occupy the heart of the ‘Medina’.
Since they were built in 773 by the Emir Yazid Ibn
Hatem EL-Mehallabi, the souks have been named and divided according to the type of trade they exercise. |
 |
| |
 |
The Aghlabids Basins
Built in the 9th century, these huge open-air reservoirs were part of an elaborate water system to collect rainwater from the ‘Tell’ plateau via a 35 km aqueduct.
|
| |
|
The Sidi Abid al-Ghariani Mausoleum
It is an impressive museum of Arab-Moorish architecture, featuring an attractive painted wood ceiling, an amazing collection of colorful tiles and notable fine Kufi inscriptions engraved on white marble tile-borders.
|
 |
| |
 |
The Sidi Amor Abada Mausoleum
This is the burial place of the famous blacksmith and "saint" Amor Abada,a n enigma highly venerated by the local people. He left an interesting collection of gigantic hand made steel objects (e.g., swords, anchors...).
|
| |
The Kairouan Ramparts
The City Walls have been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt since they were built in 761 AC by the Zirids.
The recent restorations were ordered by the Hussainid monanarch in the 17th century. The walls are 3.8 km long, 4to 8 m high and have numerous entrance gates (e.g Bab Tounis, Bab Jalladine, Bab El-Khukha). |
 |
|
Discovering
PLACES TO VISIT
