MOURADIA MEDERSA (College)

37, Souk des Etoffes

The Mouradite Beys, who were members of the Hanafite sect, having overthrown the Dey and installed hereditary rule, wanted to win popularity with the people of Tunis, who were still staunchly Malekite. There was therefore a political reason why Mourad II, son of Hammouda Pasha, built this college in the cloth market for Malekite students (1673). It was built on the ruins of a Turkish militia barracks demolished after a revolt, where it gets its name of "Attouba" medersa (Repentance).
A big studded door in a wide marble surround leads into the courtyard with its limestone paving surrounded by pillared galleries. Upstairs there is a further lintelled gallery with a wooden balustrade. The old students' rooms have identical narrow doors while the entry to the prayer chamber is set in a black and white marble horseshoe archway.
Today the Mouradia has adapted happily to the presence and vitality of young apprentice craftsmen learning traditional crafts under the watchful eye of their masters.