Zaytouna Great Mosque

The revered Zaytouna Mosque (Great Mosque of Tunis) is surrounded from every corner by several souqs and shops, mosque complexes, hammams, and other significant monuments that date back to various eras. The name 'Zaytouna' means 'olive tree'. The mosque was constructed in AD 734 by Hassan Ibn Nooman, the conqueror of Byzantine Carthage who is said to have held lessons under a tree in this area. The Zaituna Mosque (also Zaytouna, Zaitouna) was rebuilt in the 9th century by the Aghlabid ruler Ibrahim ibn Ahmed (AD 856-63) who modeled it after the Great Mosque in Kairouan. It is considered one of the best examples of Aghlabid and early Hafsid monumental architecture in North Africa. The mosque's minaret dates from the 19th century AD while the dome is patterned on the European style. Inside ...Read More