Mosquée Youssef Dey (Youssef Dey Mosque), Tunis

The Youssef Dey Mosque is an important mosque located in the Medina area of Tunis, built in the 17th century. It was the first mosque of Ottoman-Turkish design to be constructed in Tunis and is now recognized as an official Historical Monument. Originally, it was used as a public speaking venue before it was converted into a mosque in 1631 by Youssef Dey, becoming the 11th mosque in the capital.

The prayer room is surrounded by courtyards on three sides, with a portico acting as a gallery along the northern facade. The room follows a classical hypostyle hall plan, consisting of nine naves and seven bays with arches resting on columns of various origins. The prayer hall is covered with a groin vault and has a cupola on an octagonal base in front of the mihrab. The minbar is made of masonry and covered with panels of polychrome marble, which is unique to the mosque.

The mosque's minaret is also significant, as it is the first octagonal minaret to be constructed in Tunis and was made by the Hafsids. It has a square base and ends with a balcony protected by a wooden awning. The minaret is crowned with a lantern that has a pyramidal roof covered with green tiles.

The mosque also houses the mausoleum of Youssef Dey, which inaugurated the funeral mosque concept in Tunis, where the tomb of the founder is associated with the place of worship. The mausoleum has a square plan and is covered with a pyramidal roof topped with green tiles. It features a commemorative inscription on the central arch and is accented with white marble facades alternating with clavellus in black and white.