The Great Mosque of Djenné

The Great Mosque of Djenné, located in Mali, is the largest mud-brick religious building in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built primarily from sun-baked earth, it features distinctive sponsons and wooden scaffolding that are replaced annually during a community festival. The mosque serves as a vital religious and social hub for the local Muslim community, symbolizing cultural heritage and architectural ingenuity. Its design combines traditional Sudano-Sahelian architecture with practical techniques suited to the region’s climate, making it an iconic example of African craftsmanship and communal effort.