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All Libya Ajdabiya Atiq Mosque

Atiq Mosque

Early Islamic mosque with several strange conical domes.

Ajdabiya, Libya

Added By
Tawsam
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The conical domes of the mosque (Looklex / Tore Kjeilen)   http://looklex.com/libya/awjila.htm
The conical domes of the mosque (Looklex / Tore Kjeilen)   http://looklex.com/libya/awjila.htm
The entrance to the mosque is marked by two palm trunks (Looklex / Tore Kjeilen)   http://looklex.com/libya/awjila.htm
Atiq Mosque  
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About

Two palm trunks mark the entrance to one of Libya’s most beautiful mosques. The whitewashed mud-brick structure dates from the 7th century, and greeted Muslim pilgrims and caravan routes that crossed this area for a centuries. During the heyday of the Sahara caravan trade routes, the oasis city of Awjilah was an important stop on the way to the Cyrenaican coast, bringing travelers from across the ancient world to the mosque.

Nine doors grant access to the house of worship, which lead into a labyrinth of pillars and arches inside, covering an area of more than 400 m². However, the outside of the building is even more remarkable and features 21 snow-white conical beehive domes. The beehives dominate the skyline of the old town of Awjilah, which was lovingly restored in 2006, after the city became one of the most convenient spots to view the solar eclipse of March 2006.

As of October 2011 it remains unclear whether the 2011 Libyan Civil War damaged Awjilah, or its ancient mosque.

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Architectural Oddities Sacred Spaces Domes Architecture

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Awjilah, al-Wahat District, Libya

Community Contributors

Added By

Tawsam

Edited By

jonathancarey

  • jonathancarey

Published

October 27, 2011

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Sources
  • Lonely Planet Libya; 2nd Edition; August 2007
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awjila
  • http://looklex.com/libya/awjila.htm
Atiq Mosque
Awjilah
Ajdabiya
Libya
29.006306, 20.786112
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Libya

Africa

Places 9
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Explore the Destination Guide

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Libya

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Places 9
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