Kairouan - Medina

Kairouan's Medina (old town) is the best preserved in Tunisia. Some 1,000m/1,100yds long by 500m/550yds across, it is surrounded by a 3.5km/ 2mi long circuit of brick walls 10m/33ft high, reinforced by numerous towers (wall-walk open for part of the way). The present walls were built by the Husseinites in 1706-12 on the foundations of earlier walls dating from 1052, and have been frequently restored since then. On the north and west sides of the Medina are a number of old-established outer districts (Gueblia, Djeblia, Zlass); the new town lies to the south.