Sidi Bel Hasan Mosque, Mosque and Islamic Calligraphy Museum in Tlemcen, Algeria
The Sidi Bel Hasan Mosque stands beside the Great Mosque of Tlemcen and features modest architectural elements with interlocking cedar logs forming its ceiling structure. The interior now displays collections of Islamic calligraphy in a dedicated museum space.
The mosque was founded in 1296 by emir Abi Ibrahim ibn Yahya during the Zayyanid era. It received its name from qadi Abi al-Hassan, who served under Sultan Abi Sayeed Uthman.
The prayer hall displays inscriptions on its western wall and now serves as a dedicated exhibition space for Islamic calligraphy collections. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship of these handwritten scripts displayed throughout the room.
The site is located in southwestern Tlemcen and can be found at coordinates 34.8828 latitude and 1.3111 west. It maintains regular opening hours for both worship and museum visits, allowing you to experience both functions.
This building introduced the interlocking cedar log ceiling technique to Algeria, predating comparable architectural features in Andalusian Moorish design by several centuries. The construction method demonstrates the building skill of that era.
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