Agadez Mosque, Mud brick mosque in Agadez, Niger.
The Agadez Mosque is a mud brick structure with a central minaret that rises above city streets, featuring wooden beams protruding from its earthen walls. The building displays typical Sudano-Sahelian architectural features with compressed earth materials and traditional construction methods.
The building was constructed in 1515 and marked the establishment of a religious center along trans-Saharan trade routes. Its creation was closely tied to Agadez's development as a major trading hub in the Sahel region.
Local craftspeople maintain the structure by applying mud plaster and filling cracks, especially after the rainy season when water has penetrated the walls. This work connects residents to their ancestors and heritage.
The mosque is open for five daily prayers, with visitors required to remove their shoes and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Good footwear is helpful since pathways in the old town are narrow and uneven.
The wooden beams protruding from the minaret serve as functional scaffolding where workers can climb to repair the tall walls. This simple system allows regular maintenance without external equipment or machinery.
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