Part 1: Exploring Kairouan (Presentation of My Visit to Kairouan)

_{Edited By FileCollage}
Hi Steemians,

Ever curious, I set out for Kairouan for two days, traveling light with an open mind and a backpack. My goal wasn’t just sightseeing, I wanted to experience the city: its unique dishes, its distinctive architecture, the large mosque, and the heritage homes that whisper stories of the past.

Founded in the 670s, Kairouan has seen countless conquests. General Uqba ibn Nafi established it as a major center of Arab and Islamic learning in the Maghreb, expanding its fortified walls in the 9th century to support the mosque’s monumental worship complex under the Aghlabids. The medina’s lifeline has remained unbroken for centuries, preserving ancient crafts that thrive even today. In 1988, UNESCO recognized its fortified medina as a World Heritage site, a testament to its enduring spiritual and cultural importance.

Walking through the bustling marketplace, I could almost hear the city’s stories whispering from the walls, waiting to be remembered.
I let my senses guide me through the medina. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with bold coffee and delicate jasmine. I wandered narrow alleys, pausing to admire doors and windows some painted bright blue or white, others heavy wooden doors carved with intricate patterns.

_{One of the many doors I discovered}

A highlight was visiting the house of Allani, home to a respected local family. The courtyard, adorned with tiles and arches, exuded quiet charm, while the rooms carried the weight of years lived within them. The stillness made me feel the slow passage of time and the gentle rhythm of life that keeps these homes alive.
I also stumbled upon a tiny alley called “Hug Me.” So narrow that the walls seemed to lean in, it felt intimate and friendly, like sharing a secret between buildings. Little spaces like this make the medina feel warm and human.

Some parts of the medina were calm and serene, while others buzzed with life, houses tightly packed along winding streets. Even under the relentless sun, cool air and comforting shadows offered relief. Shops lined the streets, artisans busily crafting traditional wares. Life here moves at a gentle, unhurried pace, as if the medina itself holds centuries of stories waiting to be discovered.

Food was another joy. I stopped at small stalls and savored simple, honest dishes: kaftaji with merguez and kefta, washed down with a cold Boga. At the old boulangerie Omrania, the baker pulled fresh bread from the oven and brushed it with olive oil warm, soft, and comforting, the kind of food that feels like home. Later, at Uncle Salah, I enjoyed a big metal mug ofJwajem make it with fruit and fresh juice with dried fruits, a sweet and bright end to a day of flavors.

_{Savoring the delicious Jwajem from Uncle Salah}

Visiting the Great Mosque of Okba was unforgettable. Standing there, knowing its roots stretch back to 670 AD, was humbling. The wide courtyard, stone columns, and the way light drifted across the prayer hall filled me with a deep sense of peace. I lingered longer than planned, just sitting and soaking in the silence.

_{A quiet moment in the mosque, waiting for prayer}

What stayed with me most, however, wasn’t just the monuments it was the people. Their kind smiles, small conversations, and the way someone would always help when I looked a little lost. Kairouan taught me that even the smallest moments a warm piece of bread, a narrow alley, a friendly glance or joke can carry the weight of centuries.

Next, I’ll share three posts with more details, complete with text, photos, and videos:

• Part 2: What I ate and where I ate it (Kaftaji, Bread & Jwajem)
• Part 3: Old Streets, Hidden Corners (Doors, Houses & the “Hug Me” Alley)
• Part 4: Heart of Kairouan (The Great Mosque of Okba)

If you’re curious and want one first, let me know in the comments should I start with Food, Streets, or Mosque? I’ll post the most requested one next.



Best Regards,
@marwene