Gallery
Description
Property Name: Great Mosque of Kano
Inventory No: 234-64-2
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2008-02-21
Country (State party): Nigeria
Province: Kano
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 11° 59′ 41.4″ N
8° 31′ 3.52″ E
Historic Period:
Year of Construction: late 15th century, 1950s
Style:
Original Use: Mosque
Current Use: Mosque
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The original Great Mosque of Kano had been the most impressive in West Africa and was the firs mud mosque of tower type in Nigeria. Surrounded by a high wall and having a 20 meter tall tower, the mosque was a landmark. Demolished in 1950s, a new mosque had been constructed with the sponsorship of the British Government.
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
The great mosque was built for Muhammad Rumfa in the 15th century. It was made of mud, and was of the soro, or tower, variety.[1] It was moved to a new site by Muhammad Zaki in 1582, and rebuilt in the mid 19th century by Abdullahi dan Dabo. It was destroyed in the 1950s, and rebuilt with British sponsorship.
İt is in good condition now, and open to prayers.
References
Elleh, Nmandi. 1996. African Architecture, Evolution and Transformation. New York: Mc Graw Hill.
Archnet website: archnet.org