The Great Mosque of Kairouan

Photo: cerchio.
The Great Mosque of Kairouan. Photo by David Weekly.

Photo: cerchio.

Interior of the Great Mosque. Photo: Disorder Chang.

Every city in Tunisia has a Great Mosque, but the Great Mosque in Kairouan is the most important of all. It is the oldest Muslim place of prayer in North Africa and is commonly regarded as the fourth holiest site in Islam (after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem).

History

Nothing remains of the original 670 AD mosque, built shortly after the arrival of Muslim Arabs to North Africa. It was built by the founder of Kairouan, Sidi Okba (the mosque is thus also known as the Sidi Okba Mosque).

The current Great Mosque of Kairouan dates from 863 AD. For centuries, it has served as a pilgrimage destination for North Africans for whom the trip to Mecca was an impossibility. According to popular belief, seven trips to Kairouan was worth one hajj to Mecca.

What to See

The exterior of the Great Mosque of Kairouan, with buttressed walls, is in the typically austere Aghlabid design, but the mosque becomes much more impressive when you enter the courtyard.

The Great Mosque is approached through a large marble-paved courtyard. Here the devout, having removed their shoes, perform the customary ablutions (ritual washing) before entering.

The colonnade surrounding the courtyard is supported by 400 pillars plundered from many local sources — pagan Roman, Byzantine, and Latin Christian symbols are scattered about incongrously. The paving slopes towards an intricately decorated central draining hole, which delivers rainwater into a 9th-century cistern. The decorations are both attractive and practical, serving to filter dust from the water.

The mosque may be entered (by Muslims) through nine different gates. The massive wooden doors leading into the prayer hall date from 1829 and are beautifully carved in detailed inlaid marquetry.

Inside, the main aisle leads to the 9th-century tiled mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca). The precious tiles of the mihrab and the wood for the nearby minbar (pulpit) were imported from Baghdad.

The 414 pillars that support the mosque were, like the courtyard columns, Roman or Byzantine pieces salvaged from Carthage and Sousse, and no two are alike. Inside the mosque are the tombs of local saints.

Outside is a cemetery restricted to descendents of the family of the Prophet and a 115-foot high minaret that is a prominent landmark in the city. The lowest level of the minaret dates from 728 AD and features two reused Roman slabs (one upside down) with Latin inscriptions.

Quick Facts

Non-Muslims are not allowed inside the prayer hall, but the doors are left open to allow a glimpse of the interior. Visitors to the rest of the mosque use the main gate on rue Okba ibn Nafaa and must be appropriately dressed; robes are available at the entrance.

Type of site:	Mosque
Date:	863 AD
Status:	Active
Location:	Kairouan, northern Tunisia
Coordinates:	35.681588° N,10.103849° E
Hours:	Sat-Thurs 8am-2pm; Fri 8am-noon
Cost:	Multiple-site ticket TD4.2, which can be purchased at the Great Mosque
Tip:	A good view of the mosque can be had from the roof of a neighboring carpet shop on rue Okba ibn Nafaa.

Location Map

Below is a location map and aerial view of the Great Mosque of Kairouan. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Tunisia Map or get our free Google Earth download.

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