Kairouan - Zaouia of Sidi Abid el Ghariani

From Bab ech Chouhada the main street of the Medina in Kairouan, Rue Ali Belhaouane, runs straight ahead. A few yards along the second street on the right (Rue Sidi Ghariani) is the Zaouia of Sidi Abid el Ghariani, with the tomb of a holy man who lived in Kairouan in the 14th century. Notable features are the fine wood and stucco ceiling, the sumptuously decorated dome of the tomb and the inner courtyard with its beautiful arcades. This is due to become the headquarters of the Association de Sauvegarde de la Médina, which is concerned with the preservation and restoration of the old town. It is also planned to establish a museum of Arabic calligraphy, with a collection of inscribed gravestones of the ninth-11th centuries. Another 100 yards along the main street of the souk, at the old-established Cafe Halfaouine, Rue des Cuirs goes off on the right.