Part 3: Old Streets, Hidden Corners (Doors, Houses & the “Hug Me” Alley)

marwene (58)Traveler 🇹🇳in Traveling Steem • 2 days ago

_{Edited by LiveCollage}

Hello Steemians,

After tasting Kairouan’s food delights in my last post, I turned my attention to what makes this city so charming: its streets and hidden corners. Walking through the medina is like stepping back in time every turn, every doorway, every alley carries whispers of centuries gone by.

The Old Streets of Kairouan

The medina is a labyrinth of narrow passageways, some calm and silent, others buzzing with vendors and craftsmen. Houses are tightly packed, their whitewashed walls reflecting the sun, while the air feels cooler thanks to the shade.

What struck me most was the rhythm life moves slower here. People greet each other warmly, artisans shape their crafts patiently, and even the sound of footsteps seems to echo with history.


_{Passageway through old stone walls.}	_{Medina alley with rooftop shade.}	_{Old souk of artisans.}

Doors: Stories in Wood and Color

Kairouan’s doors are like works of art. Some are painted in bright blue or white, others are made of heavy dark wood carved with intricate designs. They are not only entrances to homes but symbols of the families behind them.

I stopped many times just to photograph these doors each one unique, each one telling its own silent story.

_{A traditional doors in the medina.}

The Allani House

One special stop was the Allani house, a preserved family residence in the medina. Its courtyard was tiled with colorful ceramics, surrounded by arches that made the light dance softly inside. The rooms carried the memory of generations, their walls holding both silence and stories.

Standing there, I felt the gentle rhythm of time slower, softer, as if reminding me to pause and breathe.

_{Allani house outside and inside.}

Location	Allani House
Google maps	https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Pq1kRefkMGfsZuM8
Atlas pin code	[//]:# (!steematlas 35.68554858 lat 10.08464322 long Allani House d3scr)

The “Hug Me” Alley

Then came one of my favorite discoveries: a tiny passage known as the “Hug Me” Alley. It is so narrow that the walls almost touch, making you feel embraced as you walk through. Locals say it is one of the smallest alleys in Kairouan, but it leaves a big impression.

Passing through, I couldn’t help but smile it felt like the city itself was giving me a warm hug.

_{The famous “Hug Me” Alley.}

Closing

Kairouan’s beauty is not only in its monuments but also in the small details: the texture of a wooden door, the shade of a hidden street, the intimacy of a tiny alley. Walking here is about slowing down and noticing what centuries have quietly left behind.

Next, in Part 4: Heart of Kairouan (The Great Mosque of Okba), I’ll share my experience at one of the most important mosques in the Islamic world.

Thank you for joining me on this walk through the medina and stay tuned for the next chapter.

Best Regards,
@marwene