Architectural features Djamaâ el Kebir

great mosque of algiers (1899)



great mosque of algiers in modern times

the mihrab, built integral part of mosque in 1097, destroyed in bombing in ad 1682 (ah 1093). reconstructed mihrab typical design followed in 18th-century algiers in form of indented lobed arches @ end of central , wider nave. simple fresco façade 2 small spiral columns flanking on either side ogive stucco arch seen in relief. mihrab set in niche flat floor. adjoining mihrab on either side there 2 door openings lead small oblong rooms, 1 of housed minbar used shifted on rails prayer hall imam daily prayers , give sermons. while rails used shift minbar still embedded in floor, minbar preserved in national museum of antiquities , islamic arts in algiers. 1 of finest sculpted minbars of type in algeria. bears inscription in kufic script saying: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم أتم هذا المنبر في أول شهر رجب من سنة تسعين وأربعمائة. الذي عمل محمد (in name of allah, compassionate, merciful. chair has been completed first of month of rajab of year 490. work of muhammad). minbar sculpted in wood fixed on wheels free movement of almorid period. patterned in simple shape of paneled minbar of great mosque of quairawan.

an enclosed courtyard part of outer bays of mosque structure. feature not seen here in layout of building. almoravid mosques built on t-shaped plan, not seen in mosque. however, central aisle wider others.

following realignment of main street of rue de la marine, substantial changes in façade became essential additional feature, seen in form of “a portico of columns , poly-lobed arches.” gallery @ entrance mosque built in 1840.

in part of mosque, in north-east corner, bâb al-jenina which, along minaret, meant exclusive use of imam of mosque. has several rooms routine use. structure s surface indented rectangular niches decorated poly-lobed blind arches inlaid blue , white ceramic tiles.

materials used in constructing mosque stone, brick, roofing tiles , wood, , ornamentation of ceramics , wood applied.