Kairoruan, Sousse, Bou Jaafar Beach - Tunisia - October 2023.

We headed out to Kairouan in the morning of our last day in Sousse.  Kairouan is a city in northern Tunisa's inland desert, about 50 miles southwest of Sousse, about one hour by car. Along the way, we followed the desert landscape which is very dry and arrid. Paul said "even cactus looks dry and dusty!". However, from time to time, we passed olive and dates orchards. 

 Kairouan : discovered in the 7th century and became a powerful trading hub and center of Islamic learning in the 9th century.  It is considered a holy city in Islam, ranking fourth after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. A UNESCO World Heritage, the Great Mosque located on the edge of the medina, is a major pilgrimage site. The Medina of Kairouan, also a UNESCO Site, Mosque of  the Three Doors, Basins of Aghlabides and Kairouan Archaeological Museum are popular tourist attractions of the area.

A street in Kairouan.

The wall of Kairouan Medina.

The Mosque of the Three Gates in the medina.

 

A street in the medina.

In the medina.

A beautiful "blue" door.

The heritage center of Kairouan.

Great Mosque - Back entrance.

Great Mosque - Back wall.side.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan. Its minaret is the oldest minaret in the world, and considered the masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

Oiled Farhane Cemetery with view of the Great Mosque.

Students just getting off the bus.

Entrance to the archaeological park of Kairouan and Aghlabid Cisterns.

Aghlabid Cistern (on right).

Streets between cisterns.

Aghlabid Cistern (on left).

Maghreb Arabe Square in Kairouan.

Maghreb Arabe Square.

We spent the afternoon and evening in Sousse after returning from Kairouan. It was nice to walk around the city and enjoy the beach near the Sousse Medina.

Leaving the medina.

  

Arriving at Bou Jaarfar Beach, a short walk from Sousse Medina.

Bou Jaarfar Beach.

Medina square leading to the beach.

Shopping Mall entrance in front of the medina.

Fountain and shopping center just outside the medina.

Entrance to Sousse Medina.

Leaving Sousse the next day, we went back to Tunis. We stayed at the same hotel we did in Tunis before, Hotel Tiba.