Djenne is a central point for Muslim worship in Mali. In this town is the largest mosque in the world called The Great Mosque. One of the oldest towns in West Africa, founded in year 800 as an important stage for the Trans-Sahara trade. The town haven’t really changed since its heydays in 14 th and 15 th century.
Nice city for sure. It has been listed in Unesco’s World Heritage. The mosque (first built in 1280) is fantastic. There are nice pieces of architecture everywhere. The market (on monday) is considered as one of the most beautiful in Western Africa…
The Great Mosque is built on a raised plinth platform of rectangular sun-dried mud bricks that are held together by mud mortar and plastered over with mud. The walls vary in thickness between sixteen and twenty-four inches, depending upon their height. These massive walls are necessary in order to bear the weight of the tall structure and also provide insulation from the sun’s heat. During the day, the walls gradually warm up from the outside; at night, they cool down again. This helps the interior of the mosque to stay cool all day long. The Great Mosque also has roof vents with ceramic caps. These caps, made by the town’s women, can be removed at night to ventilate the interior spaces.
The Great Mosque incorporates architectural elements found in mosques throughout the Islamic world, it reflects the aesthetics and materials used for centuries by the people of Djenné. Its use of local materials, such as mud and palm wood, its incorporation of traditional architectural styles, and its adaptation to the hot climate of West Africa are expressions of its elegant connection to the local environment. Such earthen architecture, which is found throughout Mali, can last for centuries if regularly maintained.