Great Mosque of Kairouan
About Great Mosque of Kairouan
The Great Mosque of Kairouan (Mosque of Uqba) was built during the 7th century at the time Kairouan was founded, and is considered to a model for later North African mosques. It was expanded during the 9th century and covers around 9,000 square meters. Other impressive measurements include its 1.9 meter thick walls, which help give it a fortress-like feel. There is a massive sloped courtyard and a rainwater collector pool (with accompanying filters) in the center of the courtyard.
The 32 meter tall 8th century minaret is the fourth oldest in the world, serves as a watchtower and is used in prayer calls. It has 128 steps that were reputedly made of stones taken from Christian churches and graveyards.
The prayer hall has an amazing collection of over 400 white marble, pink porphyry, and blue granite columns. There is an elegant marble mihrab and carved wooden maksoura, and the minbar (Iman’s pulpit) is the oldest in the Islamic world with its 300 pieces of sculpted teak. Unfortunately you can only look into the prayer hall, as entrance into both this and the top of the minaret has been closed off to tourists as a result of previous tourist behaviour.
Kairouan is the fourth holiest site in Islam due to the Mosque. Entry ticket is valid for several other sites in Kairouan as well.
The 32 meter tall 8th century minaret is the fourth oldest in the world, serves as a watchtower and is used in prayer calls. It has 128 steps that were reputedly made of stones taken from Christian churches and graveyards.
The prayer hall has an amazing collection of over 400 white marble, pink porphyry, and blue granite columns. There is an elegant marble mihrab and carved wooden maksoura, and the minbar (Iman’s pulpit) is the oldest in the Islamic world with its 300 pieces of sculpted teak. Unfortunately you can only look into the prayer hall, as entrance into both this and the top of the minaret has been closed off to tourists as a result of previous tourist behaviour.
Kairouan is the fourth holiest site in Islam due to the Mosque. Entry ticket is valid for several other sites in Kairouan as well.
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First To Review:
Sep 30, 2009
I had visited a few mosques by the time i'd ended up at this one, and let me tell you it is impressive, mainly for its size and use of "recycling". What i mean by recycling is old Roman columns have been used in this mosque, sometimes they match, sometimes not, and the wonderful ways that height has been matched between columns of differing size.
Remember ladies to bring a scarf as a head covering out of respect and dress appropriately- no shoulders showing please!
You can buy postcards or leather handbags outside the doorway as well.
Remember ladies to bring a scarf as a head covering out of respect and dress appropriately- no shoulders showing please!
You can buy postcards or leather handbags outside the doorway as well.
Sep 9, 2009
Incredibly impressive. Not only is it amazing inside, but some of the stones outside have Roman "writing" on them as they were confiscated from destroyed Roman settlements; ancient recycling. Get there early and don't go on a Friday. Good to combine seeing this with the Colosseum in El Jem.
May 21, 2010
Be sure to check out this mosque during your trip - it is definitely the top site in Kairouan.
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