Kairouan Islamic Tour

Situated in the center of Tunisia's most fertile land Located in the center of Tunisia in a plain between the Mediterranean shores and the Mountains, Kairouan is the most ancient Arabo-Muslim base of North Africa (670 AD) and one of its principal venerated cities. The capital of Ifriqiya for five centuries, it was a place of an outstanding learning center for the diffusion of Arabo-Muslim civilization. Kairouan bears a unique witness to the first centuries of this Islamic civilization and its architectural and urban development. The inscribed site is a serial property that includes the medina (Old City) and its neighborhoods, the water reservation Basins of the Aghlabids, and the Zawiya of Sidi Sahib. The medina (54 ha) and its suburbs (20 ha) are an urban ensemble presenting all the components of an Arab-Muslim town.

The medina comprises juxtaposed dwellings divided into quarters separated by medieval blind alleys and narrow and winding streets; as in most of the Islamic capitals, a fortifying wall will serve to protect the city from intruders. Kairouan ramparts extend over more than three kilometers. The medina contains some remarkable monuments including the Great Mosque, an architectural masterpiece that served as a model for several other Maghreban mosques, and the Mosque of the Three Doors which represents the most ancient existent sculpted facade of Muslim art. The Basins of the Aghlabids, an open-air reservoir formed by two communicating cisterns that date back to the 9th century, constitute one of the most beautiful hydraulic ensembles conceived to provide water to the town. Join our group tour or contact us for a Tunisia customized tour

PRICING & AVAILABILITY

DEPARTING FINISHING SEATS TOTAL IN USD

ITINERARY

Once you land at Tunis Airport, you will meet your tour leader who will transfer you to your hotel in Tunis. After lunch, your local guide will take you on a historic tour exploring the marvels of Tunis, Carthage. A former palace, the Bardo Museum accommodates the finest repository of Roman mosaics in the world. The afternoon will be devoted to visiting the principal sites of Carthage, the capital of the Punic (or Carthaginian) world and later the second city in the western Roman Empire after Rome.

Tunis Medina is the quintessentially model of a typical Islamic city vibrant with a maze of narrow alleys crammed with ancient buildings, covered markets from the scorching sun, public fountains and Koranic schools, arches and beautiful gates. In the midst of the Great Mosque of 9th-century origin, one of North Africa’s most significant Islamic buildings. The rest of the day is free for wandering the Medina or relaxing at the hotel. In the evening a private visit to the Ennejma Ezzahra (Splendid Star), built by master craftsmen in the 1900s as a home for the Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger, in homage to his passion for the Middle East. It is now a museum and the Centre for Arab and Mediterranean Music. Overnight Tunis.

After breakfast, we will take off to Kairouan visiting on the way the ancient sites of Carthaginian, Roman and Islamic highlight of historic importance. Visit the Roman site of Uthina, a chance to see several good quality mosaics in situ. The amphitheater has underground vaulted cells still witness the echo of ancient civilizations. Thuburbo Majus is a typical Roman city model, with a colonnaded forum, fine temples, houses, and baths. Explore the old irrigation system unique to this area a 51 km long aqueduct joining Carthage to Zaghouane still stand in glory. This aqueduct is mesmerizing with its water temple at natural springs of Zaghouane ostentatiously set over the hill to celebrate the importance all civilizations of the past have given to water especially Muslims who originate from the desert. Overnight in Kairouan.

The morning is spent in Kairouan, with visits to the Medina and the Great Mosque (8th/9th century) and other examples of local traditional architecture. The immense colosseum at El Djem could hold 30,000 and is a remarkable sight, towering over its modern surroundings. The small museum nearby contains some exquisite mosaics. Final night in Kairouan.

Transfer in time to Tunis Airport to catch your flight to your next destination.

INCLUSIONS

INCLUDES

  • Land Transportation in a Deluxe Van
  • Hotel Taxes and Baggage handling
  • Multi Lingual Tour Manager and local guides
  • Halal Breakfast and Dinner daily
  • Fees to Monuments and Museums

HOTELS

  • Tunis: Hotel Belvedere Fourati, 2 nights
  • Kairouan: Hotel Continental Kairouan, 2 nights
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