Bir Barouta
بئر بروطة
A 17th-century well in the heart of the old town, where a blindfolded camel walks in circles to turn a waterwheel and draw water. Legend says its water is connected to the Zamzam well in Mecca.
Bir Barouta is in the centre of Kairouan's medina. The present building dates from the late 17th century. In an upstairs room, a blindfolded camel walks in circles to turn a wooden waterwheel that draws water from the well, and visitors can drink a cup of it. Legend says the city's founder found a golden cup here, and that the well's water is connected to the Zamzam spring in Mecca, so anyone who drinks from it will one day return to Kairouan. The site is quite commercialised. Tipping the camel's owner is customary, and opinions on animal welfare vary. You can buy makroudh on the way.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Medina of Kairouan
- Mosque of the Three Doors
- Great Mosque of Kairouan
- Aghlabid Basins
- Mosque of the Barber (Zaouia of Sidi Sahab)
- Port El Kantaoui
- Catacombs of Sousse
- Sousse Archaeological Museum