El Bey Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Constantine, Algeria
El Bey Mosque is an Ottoman-era house of worship situated in Constantine, positioned between two main streets with significant buildings nearby. The interior contains thirty marble columns supporting the prayer hall, which features a decoratively patterned prayer niche.
The structure was built between 1713 and 1736 during the rule of Hussain Kalyan and served temporarily as a Catholic church starting in 1838. These changes show the shifting religious practices in the region over centuries.
The prayer hall features thirty marble columns with round bases arranged to guide worshippers through the space, and a prayer niche decorated with geometric patterns in vibrant colors. These architectural elements shape how people move and focus during their time inside.
Two main entrances with stone steps connect the outside to the inside, featuring both modern and traditional doors for access. Visitors should respect the customs of this active place of worship and dress appropriately when entering.
A carved inscription about the construction survives on a white marble plaque in an adjacent palace, recording details about the founder and building process. This preserved text allows visitors to trace the origins of the site through historical documentation.
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