Al-Abbasiyya

The city was built as a residence by the first Aghlabid emir, Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab (r. 800–812), in the first year of his governorship, and was named after his suzerain, the Abbasid caliph.

[1] Its construction followed a long period of unrest by the populace of the old capital of Ifriqiya, Kairouan, during the 8th century.

[2] Al-Abbasiyya was a fully functional city, with baths, inns, markets, and a brick-built Friday mosque.

[3] From the outset, a mint for silver and gold coinage, as well as government factories producing robes of honour and standards, were also established in the city.

[1] Al-Abbasiyya remained the residence of the Aghlabid emirs until 876/7, when a new palace city, al-Raqqada, some miles to the south, was established by Ibrahim II (r. 876–902).