The Great Mosque Travel Guide

Djamaa el Kebir, or the Great Mosque of Algiers, is a testament to the city's rich history and architectural heritage. Constructed in 1097 during the Almoravid dynasty, under the reign of Yusuf ibn Tashfin, it is considered one of the oldest mosques in Algeria. The mosque's design reflects classic Almoravid architecture, characterized by its naves perpendicular to the qibla wall and a rectangular courtyard bordered by galleries.Throughout the centuries, the Great Mosque has undergone several transformations. In 1332, the Zayyanid sultan Abu Tashfin I of Tlemcen added the minaret. The mosque suffered significant damage during the French bombardments of Algiers in 1682 and 1683, leading to the reconstruction of the mihrab and the qibla wall. A portico of columns and poly-lobed arches was added during the French colonial period in 1837, altering the street alignment.The prayer hall is divided by pillars and semi-circular arches into eleven naves, each covered by a double sloping roof. The mihrab, though reconstructed, features two small spiral columns, a characteristic of 18th-century Algiers. The mosque's minbar (pulpit) is now housed in the National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts in Algiers.Located in the historic Casbah district near the harbor, the Great Mosque stands as a symbol of Algiers' enduring cultural and religious identity. Visitors can appreciate its unique blend of architectural styles and its historical significance as a center of Islamic worship and learning.