I envie escapade I wishlist getaway I مغـامـرة رغباتنا
I envie escapade I wishlist getaway I مغـامـرة رغباتنا
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Kairouan,
the holy city
Captivating, mysterious and authentic, Kairouan is a
must-see destination for those wishing to discover
Tunisia. From its legendary past made of historical and
cultural wealth, the city keeps many architectural
treasures and unique craftsmanship whose reputation
radiates well beyond the country’s borders.
1. Intérieur de la Grande Mosquée I View over the city the Great Mosque of
Kairouan I الكبري اجلامع عىل شاملة إطاللة
2. Vue aérienne de Kairouan I View over the city – RFI I عىل شاملة إطاللة
ة ر ّ ح صور ـ املدينة
monuments with exceptional architecture. Among the most striking, the
Great Mosque has become the symbol of the city and the Mosque of the
Three Doors and its carved facade, continue to arouse the admiration of
visitors. These remains are concentrated in the Kairouan Medina, classified
since 1988 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A true beating heart of
Located in the center of the country, 150 km from the capital, Kairouan
fascinates with its prestigious history. Often designated as the most
important sacred city of the Maghreb and the fourth holy city of Islam, it
was from the ninth to the eleventh century invested with the role of capital
of Ifriqiya - region extending from the East of Algeria in western Libya - in
the Aghlabid dynasty. A position that has allowed it to prevail for many
centuries as the epicenter of the influence of Arab culture and Islam,
projecting its influence over much of the Maghreb and as far as Muslim
Sicily. From this eminent past, Kairouan has preserved some valuable
objects - including the famous Blue Quran - a late 9th to early 10th-
century Andalusian Quran manuscript in Kufic calligraphy - preserved in
the National Museum of Islamic Art of Raqqada and a multitude of religious
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the town. Lovers of sweetness will feast on the “makrouds”, a diamond-
shaped specialty of the region, filled with dates and deliciously coated
with honey.
the city, it offers the astonishing spectacle of an infinity of white cupolas The Great Mosque of Kairouan: an architectural masterpiece that
mosques which inspired the nickname of “three hundred-mosque city”. A visit to Kairouan would not be complete without enjoying a half a day
under which rest the tombs of Muslim saints and also has innumerable
The three hundred-mosque city
vegetables and proteins which is generously served in most restaurants of
A city with longstanding traditions
City of history and traditions, the medina of Kairouan and its stalls abound
with treasures. While strolling in its narrow lanes, you will be surprised
by the extent of the artisanal know-how of the Kairouanais. Chopped
copper trays, basketwork objects, leather sandals, traditional costumes
embroidered with silk and ceremonial stools densely populate the
storefronts. But Kairouan is mainly famous for its carpets of which only
the weaving workshops scattered in the old city hold the secret. In bright
or sober colors, these wool carpets have the distinction of being made in
knotted stitches to offer pretty floral or geometric designs.
As far as gastronomy is concerned, Kairouan also offers tasty discoveries.
symbolizes the power of Islam
tour to discover the Great Mosque. The first Muslim place of prayer in the
Maghreb is famous for its religious importance as well as its exceptional
beauty. The Great Mosque of Kairouan dates back to 670 CE and was
built by the command of Arab Muslim general Oqba bin Nafi. Although it
has been destroyed a couple of times, then rebuilt, today›s structure rests
much upon the original mosque. The most extensive destruction came
few years after the original construction, in 688 when it was destroyed in a
rebellion. The present layout was created in the 9th century, but it is hard
to establish which parts date back to this date. Still, the columns of the
prayer hall are even older, having been taken from Roman and Byzantine
structures in Carthage, Sbeitla, Hadrumetum (Sousse) and Chemtou. I
الرتايث املخزون من فلها ،املطبخ يف القريوان اختصاصات إىل بالنسبة ا أم
غليل يشيف ما
جند املهشورة األلكات بني من ٠الفريدة املذاقات عن باحث لك
عن ا أم
٠املطامع أغلب يف م د ّ ق ي ُ و والربوتينات باخلضار ّغين طبق وهو »«الكفتايج
تقليدية قريوانية حلويات وهو ،»«املقروض يف ضالّهتم فسيجدون ،ات ي ّ احللو اق عش
٠العسل يف سة غم
بالمتر ة و ّ حمش ّمعين شلك عىل
وم
ِّ بني ،الكبري اجلامع
املعامري وامجلال اإلساليم قل الث
اجلامع يشهتر ٠ة ي ّ أساس ة حمط
الكبري باجلامع املرور د ّ ع ي ُ ،القريوان زيارة عند
»نافع بن قبة «ع
طابعه وجبامل ،ة ي ّ الدين ته ي ّ وبرمز بعراقته
الفاحت بناه ٠ املعامري
التوسيع ات ي ّ معل عديد هشد مكا ،ميالدي 670 سنة وذلك العتيقة املدينة جانب إىل
إىل للزّائرين تروق ة ي ّ معامر فة ُتح ميالدي 836 سنة منذ جعله ا مم
البناء وإعادة
القرون خالل لعب وقد ،للقريوان رمزا الوقت مبرور اجلامع أصبح لقد ٠اليوم
بالعملاء جع
الذي الثقايف مركزه بفضل املعارف نقل يف ّمهما دورا الوسىط
عىل حافظ ولكنّه ،عقود منذ الكبري اجلامع مدرسة اختفت ٠القانون يف والباحثني
يف ُيخ ،املصقولة احلجارة ذي املتني جداره خلف ٠ة ي ّ اإلعتبار وقميته املهيبة هشرته
اليت العتيقة اكألمعدة ة ي ّ األثر املعامل بعض
،بقرطاج ة ي ّ األثر املواقع من جلهبا مت
»«منرب أقدم عىل اجلامع احتواء جانب إىل هذا ،وشميتو ،حرضموت ،سبيطلة
I ٠اإلساليم بالعامل
Among the culinary specialties of the city, the “kefteji”, a dish rich in
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