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.
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
Malta
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 Zaytuna Mosque
Locations of ruined medinas
References
- ↑ "Medina definition". Oxford English Dictionary.
- ↑ "7 car-free cities". Mother Nature Network.