宰图纳清真寺位于突尼斯市麦地那老城的地理中心,是突尼斯最古老且最具标志性的宗教建筑。这座清真寺始建于公元732年左右,占地面积大约5000平方米,不仅是礼拜场所,更是曾经蜚声国际的宰图纳大学所在地。非穆斯林游客通常可以在上午8点至11点之间购票进入中庭参观,近距离观察那些从迦太基遗址回收而来的古老石柱,感受阿拉伯文明与罗马遗迹交织的独特氛围。
宰图纳(Zitouna)在阿拉伯语中意为橄榄树。相传清真寺的所在地最初有一棵巨大的橄榄树,早期信徒便围树而建,形成了最初的祈祷场所。虽然现在的院子里早已看不见那棵橄榄树,但这个清新自然的名字被完整保留了下来。它在麦地那纵横交错的小巷中像是一座导航塔,几乎所有主干道最终都会通向它的某个入口。整座建筑拥有九个入口,将集市的喧嚣与室内的肃静物理隔绝。走进这里,空气中的香料味会瞬间被石材的清冷感取代。
在埃及爱资哈尔大学成名之前,宰图纳清真寺早已是伊斯兰世界最重要的学术中心之一。这里创办的宰图纳大学曾在神学、修辞学和天文学领域有着举足轻重的地位。即便到了今天,虽然教学功能大部分已搬迁,但它依然保持着极高的社会威望。这种深厚的学术背景让这座清真寺看起来少了一些浮夸的装饰,多了一份沉稳的学者气质。当你站在廊柱下,会发现墙壁上的纹饰和书法都在叙述着几个世纪以来的知识传承,而不仅仅是皇权的展示。
去参观宰图纳清真寺一定要赶早,因为留给游客的时间窗口很窄。常规开放时间通常从早上8点开始,到了11点或11点半左右就会因为祈祷活动而谢客。周五由于是主麻日,通常不对外开放。如果你在10点半之后才慢悠悠地走进麦地那,很可能只能在门口看一眼。建议把这里作为麦地那行程的第一站,趁着集市摊位刚支起来、游客还没扎堆的时候先完成参观。
门票价格相对亲民,目前大约是10第纳尔左右,有时会包含在麦地那几个核心景点的联票中。购票处就在面向中庭的主门附近。对于着装的审查相当严格,短裤、背心或露肩装是绝对无法进门的。女性游客如果没带披肩,门口通常会提供租借服务,但这会多出一笔额外开销。比较聪明的做法是随身带一条轻便的大披肩。进入中庭后,非穆斯林不能进入铺满地毯的祈祷大厅,只能在回廊区域走动或拍摄,但即便如此,这种尺度也足以看清大厅内部那震撼的灯火与立柱。
宰图纳清真寺最令人感到不可思议的地方在于它的建筑材料。清真寺内大约有160根支撑马蹄形拱券的精美石柱,其实都是从几公里外的迦太基罗马遗址中拆解搬运过来的。这种做法在古代北非非常普遍,被称为建筑构件回收。如果你凑近观察,会发现有的柱头是科林斯式的,有的则带有早期基督教的痕迹,它们在伊斯兰风格的建筑框架下达成了一种奇妙的视觉平衡。这些柱子不仅支撑了屋顶,更像是一本立体的突尼斯通史,连接着罗马帝国的辉煌与阿拉伯帝国的扩张。
麦地那的房屋大多低矮且平顶,这就让宰图纳清真寺那座高达43米的宣礼塔变得极为突兀。这座方形宣礼塔并非与清真寺同步建成,现存的版本主要是19世纪末翻修的产物,采用了典型的阿尔莫哈德风格。塔身装饰着精美的瓷砖和几何雕刻,每一层都有不同的镂空设计。无论你在这座迷宫般的麦地那走得多丢,只要抬头找找这座高塔的位置,就能大致判断出自己距离老城中心的距离。
如果你觉得在地面看不够过瘾,麦地那周围藏着不少屋顶咖啡馆。很多当地人会热情地指着楼上说能带你看全景,这种带路通常是需要给小费的。你可以直接寻找口碑较好的店铺,例如全景咖啡馆(Cafe Panorama)。这些店通常会把墙壁刷成突尼斯标志性的蓝白色,站在露台上,你会发现宰图纳清真寺的结构像一副铺开的地毯,大理石铺就的中庭在阳光下白得发亮。这种视角能看清清真寺标志性的瓦片屋顶和宣礼塔的细节,非常适合延时摄影或广角构图。
上午参观完清真寺后直接去屋顶喝杯薄荷茶是个好主意,但如果想要拍出最有张力的照片,下午晚些时候的侧逆光会让清真寺的宣礼塔呈现出迷人的金黄色。这时候老城集市的灯光开始点亮,烟火气与神圣感交织在一起,画面感非常强烈。记得在点咖啡时多待一会儿,突尼斯人的节奏很慢,这种俯瞰视角能让你暂时从下面拥挤的集市人潮中抽离出来,看清这座城市的历史肌理。
不可以,非穆斯林游客仅限于在中庭和回廊区域参观拍摄。祈祷大厅入口处会有专门的工作人员值守,防止误入。你可以站在门口向内看,依然能清晰观察到160多根罗马石柱支撑的宏伟空间。
从火车站出来后直接打车或步行前往法兰西门(Bab el Bahr)入口,然后沿着最热闹的香料集市主干道走大约10分钟即到。麦地那内部不通车,必须做好全程步行的准备。建议下载离线地图以免在支巷迷路。
为了尊重宗教情感,禁止对正在礼拜或清洁身体的信徒进行近距离特写拍摄。在中庭拍摄建筑细节是被允许的,但如果想要拍摄当地人,最好先征得对方同意。在祈祷高峰时段,建议收起专业摄影设备以示尊重。
除了屋顶咖啡馆,清真寺周边的旧宅书店也非常值得一看。有些书店本身就是由古老的商队驿站或豪宅改建,内部保留了华丽的瓷砖壁画。在参观完清真寺后,去这些相对安静的空间翻翻画册,能更深地理解突尼斯的马格里布文化背景。
Jay Max Al-Zaytouna, el-Zetouna or Zetouna Mosque is the second oldest mosque in Africa; the first (the oldest) being the Great Mosque of Kairouan (Masjid Kebir), also in Tunisia. It was originally built in 698-CE, and then expanded (or rebuilt?) in the year 703-CE. This beautiful and historic mosque covers 5000 sq/meters and has 9 entrances. It is situated right in the heart of the old Medina of Tunis (Carthage). The mosque is still in operation, visited by thousands of visitors (foreign and local) every day. The entry is free for the tourists. Women need to cover their heads to enter. Once you enter into the courtyard, the view around you is just awesome. It takes you centuries back in time and you can feel the serenity.
Michael Mack Absolutely beautiful mosque in Tunis. It is the oldest mosque in the city. The architecture is stunning with amazing decor around the building. The courtyard is massive and really interesting to see. The mosque itself dates back to the 7th/8th century. This is a must visit when in Tunis. You can see the tower from around the entire area. You are able to go into the courtyard, but not the mosque itself unless you are Muslim. I loved my visit. Very peaceful and inspiring.
Mohamed Slim Djeridi A historic masterpiece where you can pause and find a moment of tranquility. This mosque stands as a significant symbol of the cultural and religious heritage that has shaped the nation for centuries. Its architecture and atmosphere offer a serene escape, inviting visitors to reflect and connect with the past. As you explore this sacred site, be mindful during the guided tours, as some information provided may not always be accurate. It's a place where history speaks, but where careful attention is needed to truly understand the depth of its legacy.
Nour NOUHAILI I recently visited Zeytuna Mosque in Tunis. It's one of the oldest mosques in the world, which makes it an important and interesting site to visit. However, the mosque is not very well maintained. The interior doesn't have a very pleasant smell, and it could be cleaner. The architecture is quite normal and nothing particularly spectacular. Despite these issues, it's still worth a visit due to its historical significance.
Moni Islam Beautiful historic mosque (and one of the first universities/educational institutions in the world) in the centre of Tunis. Large courtyard you can walk around. It is a bit confusing where you can enter, so you might have to walk around it a couple times but be on the lookout for doors with signs. Non-Muslims can visit up to 6pm I believe. For Muslims, there are external wudu facilities in a separate building right outside.