Gallery
Description
Property Name: Great Mosque of Takwa
Inventory No: 254-121-2
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2008-02-26
Country (State party): Kenya
Province : Lamu
Town: Takwa
Geographic coordinates: 2° 16′ 5.42″ S
40° 58′ 7.79″ E
Historic Period:
Year of Construction: 15th century
Style:
Original Use: Mosque
Current Use: Archaeological park
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The mosque is the largest surviving structure in the district. It is a landmark with a large pillar rising on top of the qibla wall. It is believed that it symbolizes a Sheikh’s grave underneath. The ruins are a site of pilgrimage with all doors facing Mecca.
Selection Criteria
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
It was founded around year 1500, and probably abandoned around 1700.
The ruins were first excavated by James Kirkman in 1951. In 1972 the site was cleared again under the supervision of James de Vere Allen, the Curator of the Lamu Museum.
References
Garlake, Peter S. 1966. The Early Islamic Architecture of the East African Coast. London: Oxford University Press.
National Museums of Kenya website: http://www.museums.or.ke