Tunis, Tunisia
Madrasa in Tunis, Tunisia
The Madrasa El Bachia is one of the madrasas of the medina of Tunis, at 27 Rue des Libraires, beside the Zitouna Mosque and facing the historic Guachachine hammam. It was founded in 1752 by the Husainid ruler Ali Pasha I, one of several colleges he built in the mid-18th century: the Achouria for students of the Maliki school, and the Bachia for students of the Hanafi school. It was supported by forty-six endowments of farmland and buildings, which paid its students grants on condition they were not absent for more than a year, and that only for the pilgrimage. It follows the classic Tunis madrasa plan: a courtyard surrounded on three sides by porticoes leading to thirteen student rooms, with the fourth side opening onto the prayer room and library. By the entrance is a decorated public fountain added later for passers-by, one of the prettiest sights in the lane. It was listed as a historic monument on 13 March 1912, and in the 1980s it was rehabilitated, with the Ministry of Vocational Training, as a training centre for artisans in leather, jewellery and embroidery.
It now serves as a training centre and access may be limited, so admire the façade and fountain from the lane and ask politely whether you may look into the courtyard. A few minutes is enough. It is on the booksellers' street a few steps from the Zitouna Mosque; combine both with the Guachachine hammam opposite.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
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MosqueTunis, Tunisia
