Publication Date
348 AH / 960 AD
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Record ID
monument;ISL;tn;Mon01;20;ar
Library Location
Kairouan, Hafouz, Tunisia
Date
348 AH / 960 AD
Notes
The most important water works in Tunisia is without a doubt the groundwater capture system at the Atrium well, located 36 km west of Kairouan. Al-Mu'izz was keen to store water and secure it for his capital and palaces, so in 348 AH/960 AD he built a water bridge that passed through the hills and valleys in order to deliver water to his capital, Sabra, in the suburbs of Kairouan, and then to the Aghlabid cisterns. This project, which reused Roman and Aghlabid buildings that had been present in the region since ancient times, included a system for capturing, collecting, storing and redistributing water that is still in effect. Clearly visible. The most massive section consists of the Valley of the Dead Arch, which extends over 70 m; It consists of a full wall that turns at the river's course into an arch that is 38 meters long and 10 meters high, and is made up of four large arches topped by semicircular arches. The water course consists of two successive canals, the first of which dates back to the Fatimid era, and the second to an unspecified era, which may be the Aghlabid era. The construction of this bridge - the arch - does not follow Roman architectural rules, and its Islamic origin is beyond debate. However, the carved stones appear to have been brought from a Roman building, and perhaps an old bridge-vault was previously found at the site, the base of which was reused and some materials reused by the Fatimid builders. This building has become a special model in North Africa, and will have other applications, especially in Morocco.
Sample Text
Saloua Zangar “The Fatimid Bridge-Air” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;tn;Mon01;20;ar
