Kairouan

Kairouan is a Muslim Holy City which was founded in 670, today it is the fourth holy city after Mecca and is also included in the World Heritage list due to it being so well preserved, especially the mosques within the walls.

Until modern times only Muslims were allowed inside Kairouan walls, today it is a popular tourist attraction rich in Islamic history and culture and offering tourists an opportunity to see a beautiful city filled with magnificent architecture.

Once you arrive in Kairouan you will feel the history as it surrounds you whether you visit Souk, the market area or one of the many mosques. Souk is located in the Median quarter of the city and is surrounded by walls. As you enter through the gate you will find a bustling market hub where you can buy a choice of items from vases and leather goods to traditional carpets.

The Great Mosque is surrounded by four hundred and fourteen marble and granite columns, one of the most beautiful architectural buildings in the city. You can take a peek inside at the vastness of the building but you cannot enter the prayer hall as a visitor. Visitors are welcome to walk around the main courtyard and soak up the architecture of this magnificent masterpiece.

The Mosque of the Three Doors is another tourist highlight dating back to 866. Known for its three arched doorways, this is another architectural masterpiece which has been well preserved.

Wander around Medressas, an Islamic School which is open to the public or stop at the Mosque of the Barber, the mausoleum of Sidi Sahab dating back to the seventeenth century.

When visiting Kairouan you really should visit the Bi’r Barouta, this is a well in the center of the city and one of the holiest sites in the city, and it is around this well that the city of Kairouan was built.