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West Africa
Great Mosque of Agadez
Old city of Agadez, Niger
The heart of the historic caravan city on the Saharan route: a pointed mud minaret 27 metres tall studded with projecting beams, beside the Sultan's palace and silver markets in a UNESCO-listed quarter.
Story & history
Agadez grew as a hub of the caravan road between North Africa and the Sudan lands; its sultans built the mosque with the famous minaret, whose projecting wooden beams and annual mud replastering keep it alive. European travellers in the 19th century called it a marvel of the desert, and it remains the highest image of Agadez and the minaret of its Muslims.
Getting there
Pin the site on the map or head straight there with your maps app; opening hours and access vary by season.
Quick facts
- A 27-metre mud minaret
- A UNESCO World Heritage site
- Heart of the Saharan caravan road
Visiting tip
In winter when the desert cools; the minaret's muezzin still calls to this day.