Mogadishu Cathedral

Mogadishu Cathedral is a ruined Catholic church in Mogadishu featuring twin stone towers with pointed arches and multiple interior sections divided by stone piers. The structure originally displayed Gothic Revival and Norman architectural elements throughout its design.

The cathedral was built between 1923 and 1928 during Italian colonial rule and served as the largest religious building in Eastern Africa of that era. Shifts in the political landscape eventually led to its closure as a place of worship.

The cathedral served a congregation of 8,500 members, including both native Africans and Italian descendants, until political changes altered the religious landscape.

The site remains partially accessible today, though its condition requires caution as some sections may be unstable. Visitors should approach the ruins carefully and with respect for the space.

The cathedral's final bishop, Salvatore Colombo, died during Mass in 1989, marking a turning point in its use as a place of worship. This moment is often seen as the symbolic end of its active religious function.

Location: Mogadishu

Inception: 1928

Architectural style: Gothic Revival, Norman architecture

Address: 28PR+6M8, Mogadishu, Somalia

GPS coordinates: 2.03574,45.34161

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03