Kairouan

Kairouan is a city located in the desert of northern Tunisia. Under the reign of the Aghlabid emirs, who built many of its monuments, it became a powerful trading city renowned for its school of Islamic learning in the 9th century. Built on the outskirts of the medina, the Great Mosque, with its ancient columns and imposing minaret, was built during this period and is an important pilgrimage site. Going there 7 times would be equivalent to 1 hajj to Mecca.