HERITAGE SITE | TUNIS, TUNISIA

• The golden age of Tunis was between the 13th and 16th centuries under the Hafsid Dynasty when it reached its pinnacle of greatness. During their rule Musjids, schools and majestic palaces crowded the city – some of which have survived until our times.
• The most important Musjid in the city, Jāmi’ Al -Zitouna, was built a few decades after the Great Musjid in Kairouan. Its construction was initiated around 703 CE and there were subsequent expansions within the following century. Today, the majesty of its minaret dominates the old city. Its courtyard and prayer room with their majestic 1300 year-old columns compare favourably with those of the Musjid in Kairouan. The massive courtyard of the Musjid, is built over a rain water storage facility. Wells at different positions allowed worshippers to draw water for ablution.
• From its inception in the 13th century, Jāmi’ Al -Zitouna was an important Islamic seminary which functioned right until the last century.
• Under the Almohad and Hafsid rule the city of Tunis flourished as did the university. Ibn Khaldun the first social historian in history was one of the products of this university and students from around the world were drawn here. The libraries of the university were the richest among North African counterparts. During its heyday, It had several collections totalling in the tens of thousands of books.
• The Musjid is surrounded by the ancient medina with its colourful souks – a mecca for tourists. Within the walls of the old medina are most of the historic buildings for which the city is famous.