Mosquée Zitouna (Mosque of Olive), Tunis

Mosquée Zitouna (Mosque of Olive), Tunis (must see)

Mosquée Zitouna is the oldest mosque in Tunis. The large mosque consists of 1.2 acres (approximately 5,000 square meters). It has nine entrances and more than 150 columns that were sourced from the ruins of Carthage. The design of the building follows that of the Mosque of Uqba in the town of Kairouan, Tunisia.

Mosquée Zitouna is a mosque that goes by many names. It is sometimes called I-Zaytuna Mosque, Ez-Zitouna Mosque or El-Zituna Mosque. The literal English translation of the mosque is "Mosque of Olives." The name comes from the tomb of Santa Olivia that was at the location which, prior to its conversion into a mosque, was a Christian basilica.

It is thought that the mosque was built in 703 BCE. It was home to one of the first Muslim universities, the University of Ez-Zitouna. In its early days the university taught history, grammar, science, medicine, philosophy, law and the Quran.

Tip:
As a non-Muslim, you may take a look at the square of the mosque (via the main gate) and snap some photos, but will not be allowed entering to the prayer room.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tunis. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Mosquée Zitouna (Mosque of Olive) on Map

Sight Name: Mosquée Zitouna (Mosque of Olive)
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Tunis, Tunisia

Create Your Own Walk in Tunis

Create Your Own Walk in Tunis

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tunis is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Carthage Walking Tour

Carthage Walking Tour

Carthage is a modern, upscale seaside suburb of Tunis and a unique place of archaeological and cultural value, situated at the site of an ancient capital of the Carthaginian (Punic) civilization, which fell to Rome in the 2nd century BC.

The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tunis Introduction Walking Tour

Tunis Introduction Walking Tour

Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and one of the largest cities in the Arab world. Tunis was a Berber settlement founded on and around the ancient city of Carthage. The settlement of Tunis dates as far back as the 4th century BCE. It became the capital city in 1159.

The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Tunisian Sweets and Pastries

Tunisian Sweets and Pastries

No Tunisian meal is complete without a lavish dessert at the end. And Tunisians do take their sweets seriously, be it fresh seasonal fruits, cakes, fried almond pastries, ice cream, doughnuts or whatever else. Some of these delights have come from Turkey, brought by soldiers of the Ottoman army;...
Tunis Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Tunisian Products for Avid Traveler

Tunis Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Tunisian Products for Avid Traveler

A historic crossroads of many civilizations and influences, - Berber, Spanish, French, - Tunisia is a treasure trove of mementos waiting for a knowledgeable traveler to be picked up. The Medina market of Tunis (the capital city) is one of the best places to shop for local handcrafts. To help...