Welcome to Barber Mosque, Kairouan

Discover the serene Barber Mosque (Mosque of Sidi Sahabi) in the ancient city of Kairouan, Tunisia. Built in the 17th century over the tomb of Sidi Sahabi, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, it features exquisite tilework and tranquil courtyards that reflect Kairouan’s rich spiritual heritage. (mywanderlust.pl)

Historical Context

Constructed in the 17th century atop a 7th-century tomb, this mosque honors Sidi Sahabi (Abu Zama‘a al-Balawi), and bears architectural elements from various periods, offering insight into the layering of Islamic art in Kairouan. (en.ibnbattutatravel.com)

Landmarks

• Great Mosque of Kairouan: One of the oldest and most influential mosques in the Islamic world, founded in 670 and rebuilt in the 9th century, featuring a hypostyle hall and commanding minaret.
• Mosque of the Three Doors: Built in 866, celebrated for its sculpted façade and earliest example of Islamic architectural decoration in the region.
• Aghlabid Basins: A vast 9th-century hydraulic reservoir system that supplied water to Kairouan, exemplifying medieval Islamic engineering.
• Barber Mosque (Mosque of Sidi Sahabi): The mosque you are visiting—honoring a companion of the Prophet, with striking tilework and peaceful ambience.

Museums

• National Museum of Islamic Art of Raqqada

  A museum dedicated to Islamic art at the archaeological site of Raqqada, the former Aghlabid capital.

  Visit Website

  Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9 am–4 pm (evendo.com)

  Ticket Price: Included in the Kairouan city-wide pass (~12 TND) that covers multiple sites (thenomadalmanac.com)

• Great Mosque Complex (includes Haram museum elements)

  While not a conventional museum, the Great Mosque offers museum-like access to its courtyard, minbar, and other archaeological features; the city pass grants entry to it and related monuments. (thenomadalmanac.com)

  Visit Website

  Opening Hours: Daily, 8 am–2 pm (tickettoutopia.com)

  Ticket Price: ~12 TND via city pass (covers multiple monuments) (thenomadalmanac.com)

Tips for Visitors

• Acquire the Kairouan city pass (~12 TND) to access multiple sites including museums, the Great Mosque, Aghlabid Basins, and mausoleums. (thenomadalmanac.com)
• Visit in the morning to explore before local tourists and to accommodate mosques’ timetables. (tickettoutopia.com)
• Use louages (shared minivans) from Moncef Bey station in Tunis to reach Kairouan affordably (~14 TND). (reddit.com)

Sources

• UNESCO World Heritage dossier on Kairouan—historic context and landmarks (whc.unesco.org)
• Smarthistory and other academic sources on mosque architecture and significance (smarthistory.org)