Kairouan Travel Guide

Kairouan is an important religious center in Tunisia, some guidebooks even call it the fourth holiest city of Islam. This is no doubt an exageration, but it is a fact that Kairouan was the oldest center of the Moslems in the Maghreb.

Among the major attractions you find the Great Mosque, dating all the way back to around 670 AD. Even if it's been modified and restored many times, the lower part of the minaret is thought to be dating back to the constructions of early 8th century, and if this is true, then it's the oldest standing minaret in the world.

Built for the first time 1200 years ago, the Aghlabid basins, are worth the detour just north of town centre. These are no longer serving any use, but was once part of the aqueduct system giving Kairouan water.

Bi'r Baruta is a well with a blindfolded camel pulling the wheel. It is right in the center and worth a look.