Experiences > Religious Monuments > Middle East and North Africa > Kairouan

Kairouan is Islam's fourth holiest site after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem and the holiest in Tunisia and North Africa. It was founded in the 7th century and the first Islamic place of worship in the Maghreb, the Zawiya of Sidi Sahab, was established here just 38 years after the death of the Prophet Muhammed. The medina of Kairouan is surrounded by 3km of walls with 3 gates, and includes markets with traditional crafts such as copper and silver engraving, carpet weaving and saddle making, as well as numerous mosques and zawiyas (or monasteries). The Great Mosque and the Mosque of the Three Gates are both important religious sites and great examples of Islamic architecture.


UNESCO World Heritage Site

Location: Tunisia

Kairouan

Travel to Kairouan