Bir Barrouta, Historical water well in Medina of Kairouan, Tunisia
Description
Bir Barrouta is a historic well in Kairouan's medina, standing 13 meters tall with marble fixtures and a room featuring horseshoe arches beneath a traditional dome. The interior space below ground displays typical architectural details of the period.
History
The well was originally built in 796 by the Abbasid governor Harthama Ibn El Ayoun as an important infrastructure project for the growing city. A major reconstruction took place in 1690 under Mohamed Bey El Mouradi.
Culture
A white marble plaque on the facade bears a poem in Naskhi script that reflects the importance of this water source to the community. The structure remains a symbol of how water shaped social life within the medina.
Practical
The well sits on the main street of Kairouan's medina and is easy to reach on foot. The interior space is compact with stairs descending below ground, so plan your visit accordingly.
Did you know?
A mechanical system with two wooden wheels and buckets was once powered by a dromedary to lift water from the well's depths. This animal-powered solution reveals the ingenuity of early engineers in solving water access challenges.
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