Built in a steppe like, semi-arid
zone, the city of Kairouan, when it was founded,
had scarce drinking water resources. Thus, from
the outset the city was faced with the problem
of water supply. In 734-741 the caliph of Damascus
ordered his governor in Kairouan to build fifteen
or so water reservoirs in the vicinity to supply
the population with drinking water.

Two monumental basins as well as a few cisterns
have survived the centuries and provide us now
with an example of these majestic hydraulic installations,
considered to have been the largest during the
Middle ages. They cover an area of 11.000m2 and
had a capacity of 53.000m3. In the middle of the
large circular basin, 127,7m in diameter and 4,8m
deep, stood an octagonal tower where the Emir
came to rest.
Today, the complex, recently enriched with new
installations excavated during terracing work,
has been turned into a park with facilities for
visitors.

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