Gallery
Description
Property Name: Grand Mosque of Porto Novo
Inventory No: 229-1-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2009-07-24
Country (State party): Benin
Province: Porto Novo
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 6° 28′ 17.72″ N
2° 37′ 40.88″ E
Historic Period: 20th century, 1st half
Year of Construction: 1912
Style: Afro-Brazilian
Original Use: Mosque
Current Use: Mosque
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The mosque is typical example of Afro-Brazilian mosques of the region with its front elevation composed of a central pediment and the ornamentation.
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 of Porto-Novo was built between 1912 and 1935. This structure is mainly with terracotta briquettes; the central Mosque of Porto-Novo consists of a large block with differently decorated facades. This Mosque, in general, is fascinating and attracts many people with its structure and architectural features. Nowadays, this Mosque is open for prayers and repairs are being made every year.
References
de Benedetti, Carla, and Barry Hallen. 1988. Afro-Brazilian Mosques in West Africa. In MIMAR 29: Architecture in Development. Singapore: Concept Media Ltd.