Welcome to Road to Kairouan, Kairouan

Journeying along the Road to Kairouan, the ancient artery to the city of Kairouan in Tunisia, unveils centuries-old heritage—stretching from Roman-era ruins to iconic Islamic monuments. This path connects you to an extraordinary cultural tapestry unfolding in an enduring spiritual capital of the Maghreb.

Historical Context

Kairouan, founded in 670 AD, became a pivotal spiritual and scholarly center in North Africa, a status recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Along the approach to the city lie archaeological vestiges such as Roman‑Byzantine sites like Limisa and Henchir‑Tebel, reflecting the region’s layered history.

Landmarks

• Great Mosque of Kairouan: Founded in 670 AD and rebuilt in the 9th century, this mosque is a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture. It features a vast hypostyle hall and monumental minaret.
• Mosque of the Three Doors: Dating to 866 AD, it is renowned for its sculpted facade—one of the oldest of its kind in Islamic art.
• Aghlabid Basins: A 9th-century hydraulic marvel of reservoirs that once supplied the city with water, showcasing medieval engineering.
• Zaouiya of Sidi Sahib: A mausoleum dating to the 17th century, built over the tomb of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a key pilgrimage site.
• Bi'r Barouta Well: A historic well in the medina featuring a camel-powered water wheel, in operation since the 17th century.

Museums

• National Museum of Islamic Art of Raqqada

  Located ~9 km south of Kairouan in the former Raqqada palace, it exhibits Aghlabid and medieval Islamic artifacts including coins, pottery, and manuscripts (petitfute.co.uk).

  Visit Website

  Opening Hours: In winter 8:30 am–5 pm; in summer 9 am–4 pm; closed Mondays (petitfute.co.uk).

  Ticket Price: 5 DT (petitfute.co.uk).

• Raqqada Islamic Art (Virtual Collection)

  This museum holds notable Aghlabid works—Qur’an pages, calligraphic plates, carvings—highlighting the region’s medieval Islamic culture (islamicart.museumwnf.org).

  Opening Hours: See above (same museum).

  Ticket Price: See above (same museum).

Tips for Visitors

• Buy the Kairouan City Pass (~12 TND) for combined access to the Great Mosque, Mosque of the Three Doors, Aghlabid Basins, and Museum of Islamic Arts (globetravelbudget.com).
• Plan visits to the Great Mosque between 8 am and 2 pm. Entry is around $3 for non-Muslims; photography may cost an additional ≈ $1 (rehlat.com.sa).
• Wear respectful attire since these are active religious and heritage sites, and confirm final times locally as they may change during religious holidays.

Sources

• UNESCO World Heritage documentation on Kairouan (whc.unesco.org)
• Details on landmarks from travel‑historical resources (unusualnomad.com)
• Information on museums from PetitFute and IslamicArt virtual database (petitfute.co.uk)