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From Travel Information and Popular Attractions: TravelName.com

Kairouan, meaning the "fortified town" in Arabic is the holiest Muslim city in Africa and fourth holiest after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It is located about 160 kilometers from the capital city Tunis.

It is believed that this holy site of Kairouan was founded in 670 when the general of Arab army "Oqba bin Nafi," found a golden cup in sand which he had last seen during his visit to Mecca, he discovered a spring ( Bir Barouta,) which he said was connected to the holy well (Zem Zem) in Mecca. At that time this place was a dense forest and the home of wild beasts and reptiles, but soon this became a holy site and finally the Kairouan Great Mosque was built. It is believed that if a Muslim who drinks water from Bir Baruta, and visits this place seven times then is exempted from the holy pilgrimage to Mecca. This area is a world heritage site.

The medina, with its imposing walls and monumental gates encloses lovely mosques. This is also a place where you can buy carpets of pure wool and other handicrafts, brass work and ornaments. Even during the French occupation of Tunisia, this city was not touched by them to respect the sentiments of local people.

There was some destruction of the original site and the present layout was created in the 9th century, there have always been gradual additions and changes since then to the Kairouan Great Mosque. Some say the minaret here is the oldest , It is 31.5 meters high with a base of 10.7 meters square. The prayer hall has six aisles on each side and eight inside. There are 414 columns in the Kairouan Great Mosque. Earlier the non-Muslims were not allowed to enter but now that restriction has been lifted. Kairouan merchants rely on tourism for much of their income.