Mosquee De La Vieille Ville, Mauritania
Dating back to the 13th century but regularly restored, the Chinguetti Mosque is one of the few monuments still intact in the city, located in northern Mauritania. The four angles of its square minaret and its center culminate in a point towards the sky. These are all surmounted by an impaled ostrich egg.
The minaret can be seen from far enough thanks to its 10 meters height. Built in dry stone, the mosque is also composed of ocher (raw earth) ocher color. The roofs of the building are often covered with woods of trees and date palms. It also has some old thick acacia doors.
If the Chinguetti Mosque is a place of worship, it has also always been a center of decision. The city grew gradually around the building. The city belongs to the UNESCO world heritage since 1996.
Note that non-Muslims can not enter inside. A watchman watches over the place night and day.
Epic Mauritania Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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