Raqqada

Raqqada, located near Kairouan, Tunisia, is an archaeological site of significant importance dating back to the 9th-century Aghlabid dynasty. Originally established by Ibrahim II as a capital city, Raqqada boasted intricate palatial structures, defensive towers, and a mosque. The city's layout included a central courtyard palace with distinct architectural features such as mudbrick walls and a bent entrance, common in Abbasid architecture. Noteworthy is the water management system, featuring a large reservoir that served both functional and aesthetic purposes. The site also contains fragments of carved stucco decoration, reminiscent of Abbasid Samarra. Raqqada was briefly the seat of Abdullah al-Mahdi Billah of the Fatimid dynasty before Cairo's establishment as the capital. Today, the site holds remnants of its past grandeur, offering insights into medieval Islamic urban planning and architecture.