Great Mosque of Kairouan

About Great Mosque of Kairouan

Kairouan was founded by the Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi as a military base and became the first great Islamic city of the Maghreb. Its Great Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, was rebuilt by the Aghlabid rulers in the ninth century. Its massive square minaret is one of the oldest standing minarets in the world, and its vast marble courtyard slopes gently toward a central drain that feeds cisterns below.

Inside the prayer hall, a forest of reused Roman and Byzantine columns supports horseshoe arches, and the mihrab is lined with ninth century lustre tiles and carved marble. Some Tunisians consider several visits to Kairouan meritorious. Non-Muslims may enter the courtyard during set hours and look into the prayer hall from the doorways, but not walk inside. Its design influenced later mosques across North Africa and Andalusia, and the city remains a center of devotion.

What to see

• Three-story square minaret
• Marble courtyard and cistern system
• Prayer hall of reused ancient columns
• Mihrab with lustre tiles
• Medina of Kairouan and Aghlabid Basins

Visiting Great Mosque of Kairouan: practical guide

Best time

March to May and October to November

Hours

Visitors admitted mornings, roughly 8:00 to 14:00, closed Friday afternoons

Entry

Combined ticket for Kairouan monuments

Dress code

Shoulders and knees covered; women may be asked to cover hair

Nearest airport

Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport (NBE), 70 km

Tips from experienced pilgrims

• Non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall itself
• Buy the combined ticket at the tourist office
• Visit the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi, the Barber's Mosque

Festivals and special days

• Mawlid, with large gatherings in Kairouan

Etiquette for visitors

Guidance drawn from Islam tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.

• Dress modestly, covering arms and legs; women usually cover their hair in mosques.
• Remove shoes before entering the prayer hall.
• Avoid visiting during prayer times unless invited, and never walk in front of someone praying.
• Be discreet about eating, drinking and smoking in public during Ramadan days.
• Use your right hand for eating and giving or receiving items.
• Some mosques and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina are closed to non-Muslims.

Location map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions

Frequently asked questions