Gurgi Mosque, Ottoman mosque in central Tripoli, Libya
Gurgi Mosque is a religious building with fifteen decorative domes and a 25-meter tall minaret topped with two balconies in green marble. The structure has separate entrances accessed from Al-Akwash Street and through a northern passage, reflecting its interior layout.
Construction was commissioned in 1834 by naval officer Mustafa Gurgi during Yusuf Karamanli's governance of Tripoli. It was built at a time when the city was developing major religious and public structures under Ottoman influence.
The mosque blends European and Islamic geometric patterns throughout its design, visible in the natural marble and colorful tiles that cover its surfaces. Visitors notice this stylistic mixture immediately when walking through the interior spaces.
The building has two separate entrances, one from the street and one accessed through a passage on the north side. Visitors should take time to explore both access points and discover the different areas of the structure.
The entrance chamber functions as a mausoleum, containing the burial places of Mustafa Gurgi and his family members. This dual purpose gives the space personal and memorial significance beyond its role as a place of worship.
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