Gallery
Description
Property Name: City Walls of Kairouan
Inventory No: 216-7-5
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2008-02-28
Country (State party): Tunisia
Province: Kairouan
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 35° 40′ 39.75″ N
10° 5′ 55″ E
Historic Period:
Year of Construction: 17th century
Style:
Original Use: Defense Building
Current Use: Cultural
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The city walls were first built in 761 AC by the Zirids. However, most of the recent structures were restored by Husseinids in the 17th century. The walls are 3.8km long and 4 to 8 m high and have many gates like Bab Tunis, Bab Jalladine, and Bab el-Khukha.
Selection Criteria
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
parts of the walls have been repaired.
References
Jervis, Paola. “Kairouan.” Environmental Design: Journal of the Islamic Environmental Design Research Centre 1-2 (1989): 36-53.
Piemontese, Angelo Michele. “Anciens monuments sur l’eau selon Tarsusi.” Environmental Design: Journal of the Islamic Environmental Design Research Centre 1-2 (1997-98-99): 137-143.
UNESCO website: unesco.org