The Great Mosque of Djenné
Here in the city of Djenné, Mali stands the Great Mosque of Djenné, which is the largest mud brick building in the world.
The first mosque was built on this site in the 13th century, but was later demolished, so the current structure dates from 1907. It was built using bricks of sun-baked mud, with mud for mortar, and is coated in a plaster mix which is basically just mud.
Using nothing but mud-derivatives doesn’t make for a very sound structure, so the building requires frequent repairs. To aid this process bundles of palm branches have been added into the walls to support the structure and act as a sort of scaffolding climbing wall for the repair work.
More info about the Great Mosque at Wikipedia and pictures on Flickr.
Thanks to Sven van Heel.
It appears this road runs right through the river here. But now that the water is high, you need the ferries to cross.
I like to view areas with lots of rivers and that are different from where I live, so this post is pretty cool.
Ah, I was wondering where I read about Djenné the other day. Now I remember: The Economist did an article on it, and its mosque.
“Mud”.. Why not call it “Adobe(R)”!
Unrelated comment to this post, but interesting just the same. The Wall Street Journal had an article in this morning’s paper (Tuesday) about the erroroneous ways of some GPS systems.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120578983252543135.html?mod=hpp_us_inside_today
Mud and palm fronds? Islamic engineering at it’s finest.
Re: “Mud and palm fronds? Islamic engineering at it’s finest.” - What the hell are you talking about??? Haven’t you ever heard of the Taj Mahal, Macca, Jama Masjid or doesn’t your knowledge span that far?
Now I’m not a Muslim … but before spouting useless nonsense here, it is worth remembering that it was Muslim scholars that dragged Europe’s sorry a**es out of the dark ages (and thereby what is now America as well). Their architecture, science and technology was lightyears ahead of anything in the western world for centuries longer than the West can claim.
Interesting to see the difference in water level in the river between the seasons: Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
Since you guys don’t mention it, I do it myself: according to Wikipedia there is a replica of the Great Mosque of Djenné in Fréjus, France, which apparently can be found here: Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
There’s a replica of this in France - Mosquée Missiri, Fréjus.
Yeh the difference in water levels can really be seen here
Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
and here
Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth