Tunisia: Sfax Medina

Another completely walled off medieval city – Sfax – dates back to 849 AD. It was founded by the Aghlabid prince Abu Abbass Muhammad, and to this date is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in North Africa, retaining its original urban layout despite centuries of modifications. Covering about 24 hectares, it’s surrounded by 2,755m-long walls, fortified with 67 towers and six entrances, including the famous and huge Bab Diwan and Bab Jebli Gates. Inside the walls, the Medina is still a fully functioning city, full of souqs and mosques and almost devoid of tourists. One of the most important buildings is the Great Mosque (next post). It’s in the tentative UNESCO World Heritage List.