Great Mosque of Qal'at Bani Hammad
The Great Mosque of Al Qala'a(Arabic: مسجد القلعة, romanized: Masjid El Qala'a) is a major historical Mosque located in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Qal'at Bani Hammad, in the province of M'sila, Algeria. Its construction dates back to the early 11th century, during the rule of the Hammadid Emir Hammad ibn Buluggin.
| Great Mosque of Al Qal'a | |
|---|---|
A picture displaying the minaret of the Great Mosque of Qalaat Beni Hammad. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam (Maliki) |
| District | M'sila |
| Region | Algeria |
| Year consecrated | 1007-1008 |
| Status | Deserted |
| Location | |
| Location | Qal'at Bani Hammad, Algeria |
Shown within Algeria | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°48′50″N 04°47′36″E |
| Specifications | |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
| Minaret height | 25m |
| Materials | Brick, Marble, Stucco |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii |
| Designated | 1980 (4th session) |
| Reference no. | 102 |
| Region | Qal'at Bani Hammad |
The Mosque spans an area of over 3500 square meters (38,000 sq ft), taking on a rectangular layout. It encompasses a vast courtyard, a hypostyle prayer hall, and a square minaret towering at 25 meters (82 ft) in height. Regarded as one of the largest historic mosques in Algeria, second only to the Mansourah, it also Contains one of the country's oldest minarets. Additionally, the mosque likely exerted an influence on subsequent Almohad minarets, notably the Giralda in Seville. Together with other archaeological remnants of palatial structures, it stands as a primary testament to the opulence and impact of the Hammadid civilization.