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West Africa
Larabanga Mosque
Larabanga, northern Ghana
Ghana's oldest mosque and one of the oldest in West Africa, in the pure Sudanese mud-brick style with twin towers, accompanied by the ancient "Larabanga Quran" the villagers keep as an heirloom; it lies on the road to Mole National Park.
Story & history
Larabanga's people relate that a Muslim trader returning from Hajj marked the mosque's site by casting a spear, and that an ancient Quran — the "Larabanga Quran" — was found among them, preserved generation after generation. When the mud mosque neared collapse, international heritage bodies restored it with original earth, making it a world model for conserving Islamic earthen architecture.
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
- Among West Africa's oldest mosques
- Protected indigenous Sudanese mud style
- On the route to Mole National Park
Visiting tip
On the way to Mole Park; follow a local guide and the villagers' photography rules.