Embark on a full-day cultural journey from Hammamet or Sousse, delving deep into centuries of history. The tour begins in Kairouan, the first Islamic city in North Africa, where your visit commences at the Great Mosque of Okba Ibn Nafaa, established in the 7th century. As one of the oldest and most significant mosques in the Islamic world, it boasts a vast courtyard, ancient columns repurposed from Roman and Byzantine ruins, and an early example of a minaret in Islamic architecture. This site was instrumental in propagating Islam across the Maghreb region.
Next, meander through Kairouan's Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow lanes are adorned with whitewashed houses, vivid doors, traditional workshops, and pastry shops offering the city's renowned makroudh. More than just visually appealing, the medina serves as a living testament to Arab-Muslim urban planning from the Middle Ages.
In the afternoon, the tour proceeds to El Jem. Here stands one of the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres, a colossal structure built in the 3rd century AD that could accommodate up to 35,000 spectators. It rivals those found in Rome and Capua and symbolises imperial power and wealth. El Jem (ancient Thysdrus) flourished as a major hub for olive oil trade in the province of Africa Proconsularis. The day concludes with your return to the hotel, enriched with memories and knowledge from this historical exploration.
