Commonly known as Dar al-Oula, Dar Othman was commissioned by Othman Dey and built in the heart of the old city of Tunis between 1594 and 1611.

Starting from the 19th century AD, it was used to store provisions for the soldiers housed in the nearby barracks.

The majestic facade of the palace is dedicated to the entrance door and its frame, featuring various architectural and ornamental elements. The black and white marble reflects influences from Eastern countries, particularly Egypt. A wooden pergola composed of three beams overlooks the portico. Two lintels with black and white voussoirs, separated by a horseshoe arch, crown the door.

The facade is flanked by two marble columns, each topped with an Andalusian-style capital. In the upper part, two more columns are crowned with Hafsid capitals.

The outer door opens onto a square driba (vestibule) paved with kadhal stones and lined with stone benches along its walls. This space allows the master of the house to receive visitors.

Italian influences are

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Like many historical elements in Tunisia, there's also a touch of popular culture surrounding the Ribat. It was featured in movies such as Jesus of Nazareth and Life of Brian.

Before stepping into the fortress and unraveling its history, let's first assimilate what the term means. Simply put, a "Ribat" is an

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The ribat, originally established in the 8th century as a refuge during Byzantine incursions, underwent significant renovation under the patronage of the Aghlabid prince Ziyadat Allah I. Despite minor modifications, the monument has preserved its original structure, with notable restorations to the north- and east-wing galleries carried out in 1722.

Constructed from stone, the ribat features a square plan with sides measuring 38 meters in length. Corner towers, adorned with merlons, flank the external facades, while semi-circular towers punctuate the walls, and a cylindrical lookout tower crowns the southeast corner—a design influenced by Abbasid minarets prevalent in the Maghreb from the late 8th century onwards.

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The Medina of Tunis is renowned for its lively atmosphere, bustling merchants, and the imposing Ez-Zitouna mosque at its center. These elements embody the quintessential image most people have of the Medina: the scent of leather and fragrances, the clinking of hammered copper—these are the captivating sights and sounds that greet tourists when they visit for the first time.

However, there are some hidden gems within the Medina that often go unnoticed by the general public, namely the numerous madrasas scattered throughout. Over 20 madrasas dot the landscape of the Medina of Tunis, dating back to the Hafsid Dynasty (early 13th century – late 16th century) up to the Husainid dynasty (early 18th century – mid-20th century). The role these madrasas played in the Medina has evolved over time. Initially serving as educational institutions for training state civil servants, they later transitioned to primarily accommodating students of The Ez-Zitouna University in the 20th century.

Yet, amidst the changes, one thing remains constant: the timeless allure and magnificence of these historical landmarks.

Al Madrasa’t Al Khaldounia, known simply as El Khaldounia, pays homage to the renowned Tunisian scholar Ibn Khaldoun. Established in 1896 in Souk Al Attarine on the foot of the Ez-Zitouna mosque, it was founded by Béchir Sfar and supported by René Millet. The madrasa aimed to disseminate knowledge and foster critical thinking. Today, it serves as a bilingual library affiliated with the National Library of Tunis.

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The Kasbah of Sfax, also known as the Ribat of Sfax or the Palace of Sfax, stands majestically in the southwestern corner of the ancient city of Sfax. Today, it serves as a museum showcasing the traditional architecture of Sfax. Its construction followed the establishment of the city wall and the Medina.

The term "Kasbah," or "Qasbah" in Arabic, denotes a place of authority and originally served as a military headquarters. Historically referred to as "El Hssar," it housed the last monarch, Abu Abdullah Al-Makni, who secured independence for Sfax at the end of the Hafsid state.

In the early 16th century, the Ottomans converted the Kasbah into a military barracks, marking a shift in its purpose.

Originally part of a coastal surveillance and security initiative undertaken by the Aghlabid state's main troops in the early 9th century, the Kasbah primarily features a main entrance, known as the "Beb El Ghader," which served as a secret

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The ancient town of Kairouan in Tunisia lies within a semi-arid region prone to drought, devoid of nearby rivers or natural water sources. Addressing this challenge over a millennium ago, the ingenious solution emerged in the form of the magnificent Aghlabid Basins, a remarkable feat of engineering from the Middle Ages.

Constructed in the 9th century by the Aghlabid Dynasty, these basins have sustained the water needs of Kairouan's residents for more than a thousand years. Comprising two interconnected cisterns forming an open-air reservoir, these basins are fed by a 36-mile aqueduct drawing water from the hills beyond the town. Initially, water enters the smaller pool, serving as a filtration system to remove sediments, before being channeled into the larger basin—an impressive structure measuring 16 feet deep and 420 feet in diameter.

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