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

The Mosque of Olive is the oldest mosque in Tunis. Its origins date to the early 8th century, traditionally linked to Hassan ibn al-Nuʿman, an Arab general and governor, though most historians agree the mosque was largely completed around 732 CE under the Umayyad governor Ubayd Allah ibn al-Habhab. The mosque then underwent a decisive transformation in 864 CE, when the Aghlabid dynasty carried out a major reconstruction that gave the complex much of the form seen today.

Architecturally, the mosque follows the principles of early North African Islamic design. Covering approximately 5,000 square meters, it includes a large rectangular courtyard and a hypostyle prayer hall supported by more than 150 columns, many reused from ancient Carthage. The square minaret was rebuilt in 1894 during the French protectorate. Designed in a deliberate Almohad revival style, it echoes earlier Islamic landmarks such as the Great Mosque of Algiers and the Giralda in Seville.

The name “Olive” is tied to strong local tradition. One legend associates it with Saint Olivia of Palermo, whose memory is linked to an earlier Christian presence on or near the site. Historically, however, the name is officially attributed to a single olive tree said to have stood where Ubayd Allah ibn al-Habhab first prayed. Beyond worship, the mosque was also home to the University of Ez-Zitouna, one of the most influential centers of learning in the Islamic world.

For visitors today, non-Muslims are often not permitted inside the courtyard, depending on current regulations. Instead, the most familiar views of the mosque are from the rooftop terraces of surrounding carpet shops, particularly in nearby souks.