Tunisia # 5 Kairouan cont.

The Aghlabid Pools
To the north of the Kasbah in Kairouan, are the Aghlabid Basins which were built in the 9th century and restored 1969. These two pools (originally there were more) stored water for the Aghlabid palace which occupied the site of the present-day cemetery. The water was brought by an aqueduct from Djebel Cherichera, (22 miles) away. The smaller basin was a settling tank, from which the water flowed into the larger one which had a capacity of about 11 million gallons. In the center of the larger pool is the base of a pavilion in which the Aghlabid rulers used to relax (not actually this one).

Below thew Islamic cemetary.

We didn't have very long to explore the medina but explored a couple of the narrow streets just inside the walls of the city.

Barber shops were busy, giving customers an extra close shave and were open to the street as you can see from the photo below.

Below 'hubble bubble pipes' for sale, alongside some hats and clothes.

See how close the houses are built.

Below a spice stall.

It was interesting to see the local people out buying from the stalls.

The pottery was very colourful and we would have loved to bring back a Tagine because they were really inexpensive but quite bulky for the suitcase.

Another carpet shop, but not the one we actually visited.

Archives:
2008: Hokey Pokey
2007: I might be in trouble
2006: Curried Pumpkin Soup