Medina quarter
A medina quarter (Arabic: المدينة القديمة al-madīnah al-qadīmah "the old city") is a distinct city section found in a number of North African and Maltese cities. A medina is typically walled, with many narrow and maze-like streets.[1] The word "medina" (Arabic: مدينة madīnah) itself simply means "city" or "town" in modern-day Arabic although it was borrowed from an Aramaic-Hebrew word (also "medina") referring to a city or populated area.
Contents
1 Description
2 List
2.1 Algeria
2.2 Libya
2.3 Malta
2.4 Morocco
2.5 Tunisia
2.6 Locations of ruined medinas
3 References
4 External links
Description
Medina quarters often contain historical fountains, palaces, mosques, and sometimes churches.
Because of the very narrow streets, medinas are generally free from car traffic, and in some cases even motorcycle and bicycle traffic. The streets can be less than a metre wide. This makes them unique among highly populated urban centres. The Medina of Fes, or Fes el Bali, is considered one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world.[2]
List
Algeria
Algiers, the Casbah of Algiers is a medina named after its fortress.
Dellys, the Casbah of Dellys
Libya
- Derna
- Ghadames
- Gharyan
- Hun
- Murzuk
- Tripoli
- Waddan
- Tazirbu
- Benghazi
Malta
Mdina, Malta, has medina-like features from its past Arab rulers
Morocco
Casablanca, Morocco
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Essaouira, Morocco
Medina of Fes, Morocco, has two ancient medinas, reflecting the fact that today's city contains two medieval cities that were built close together but were separate
Medina of Marrakesh, Morocco, has a very extensive and ancient medina
Meknes, Morocco
Rabat, Morocco
Tangier, Morocco
Taza, Morocco
Tétouan, Morocco
Tunisia
Hammamet, Tunisia
Kairouan, Tunisia
Monastir, Tunisia
Medina of Sfax, Tunisia
Medina of Sousse, Tunisia
Medina of Tunis, Tunisia, includes the famous Al-Zaytuna Mosque
Locations of ruined medinas
Granada, Spain
Seville, Spain
Córdoba, Spain
References
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^ "7 car-free cities". Mother Nature Network.
External links
- Map of Tunis medina
- Carfree Cities: Morocco