Zayyanid Kingdom الزيانيون

1235 CE – 1556 CE · North Africa

Berber kingdom centered on Tlemcen; caught between Marinids and Hafsids; important trans-Saharan trade hub

Capital

Tlemcen

Peak Era

1282–1337 CE (Reign of Abu Tashfin I)

Historical Significance

Tlemcen under the Zayyanids was a cosmopolitan center of learning and trade, rivaling Fez. The kingdom served as a crucial link in trans-Saharan commerce and hosted refugees from al-Andalus who enriched its cultural life.