Welcome to Kairouan, UNESCO World Heritage City, home to countless treasures of historical merit, and is considered one of the most important sites of the Islamic World.

The oldest Mosque in Africa, dating back to the 7th Century CE, was founded during the great period of Islamic expansion by the Umayyad Dynasty, the first caliphate which saw its empire stretch from the Iberian Peninsula across North Africa and across Central Asia. Kairouan's significance cannot be understated, it is considered by many that 7 pilgrimages to its mosque are equal to a single Hajj to Mecca.

The original mosque was completed around 670 CE, shortly after the founding of Kairouan, however almost none of that original structure remains as, around 690 CE, the entire mosque was destroyed during a period of occupation by the Berbers. A term for the collective indigenous groups who occupied North Africa prior to the arrival of Islam brought about by the Arab Conquests. Therefore the site that you are able to visit today is almost exactly as it was when it was reconstructed by the Aghlabid Dynasty from the 9th century onwards.

Though I did not, it is meant to be well worth taking the time, especially if you're venturing this route south of Tunis, and visiting the town of Zaghouan where you'll find the source of the aqueduct. Located at the foot of the mountain's north face, the town hosts the remains of an elaborate Roman Temple built upon the natural spring.

Kairouan also hosts another architectural wonder: The Aghlabid Basins. So named after the ruling dynasty that held Kairoaun when they were constructed in the 9th century CE. As Kairouan is located upon a naturally arid steppe, the Umayyads upon founding Kairouan are reported to have constructed a series of large reservoirs around the city, none of which survived the tumult of Kairouan's early years. The two, large circular reservoirs that can be seen today are the same as they were in the 9th century, built to replace and upgrade the originals.

The Basins serve two purposes for Kairouan: both storing water, and providing partial purification of the water before supplying it into the city. The reservoirs provided this purification by acting as settling tanks, storing the water until the level rose sufficiently for it to travel onto the next reservoir, where further settling would occur. Finally, the water would then be allowed to flow into a series of covered cisterns where it could be drawn for use in the city.

Medina, a word that is most often associated with the Islamic Holy City in modern day Saudi Arabia, it is also the Arabic word for city or town. However, in this context. Medina refers to the old, walled part of a town or city in Northern Africa.

Despite the age of Kairouan's Medina, with many parts dating back to the City's original 670 CE founding, the narrow winding streets are alive with the hustle and bustle of a vibrant, thriving populace. It is worth taking the time to lose yourself in the Medina's winding alleyways, covered souks, merchant stalls, and traditional workshops.

Walking along the winding streets and within the many souks scattered around, you'll be greeted by the characteristic charm of the vibrantly white-washed walls and vibrant blue doors and shutters that seem to typify the historic parts of Tunisia. Although most of the souk stalls and workshops were closed during my visit, (perhaps because of Ramadan, or perhaps because the Medina becomes more vibrant after dark and when temperatures drop?), there were enough open to offer more than a glimpse into the daily atmosphere and experience of Kairouan.

I walked past more than a few workshops where the people were crafting everything from magnificent carpets, woven on traditional wooden looms, to freshly fried delicacies. And of course, there were more than a few furry felines relaxing in the quiet shady spots watching the world go by.

Another notable historically significant building in the Medina is the Mosque of the Three Doors. Built in the 9th Century during the Aghlabid era, as with the Basins outside, this Mosque is notable for being one of the earliest examples of a Mosque with a richly decorated external facade, and is noted by UNESCO.