Al-Tawbat Mosque Explained

Al-Tawbat mosque
Image Upright:1.4
Map Type:Lebanon
Map Size:250
Map Relief:yes
Coordinates:34.4378°N 35.8454°W
Religious Affiliation:Islam
Location:Tripoli, North Governorate
Country:Lebanon
Festivals:-->
Organisational Status:Mosque
Organizational Status:-->
Functional Status:Active
Architecture Style:Mamluk architecture
Established:14th century
Date Destroyed:-->
Dome Quantity:Three
Minaret Quantity:One
Materials:Stone
Elevation Ft:-->

The Al-Tawbat Mosque is a mosque, located in Tripoli, in the Northern Governorate of Lebanon. The mosque was built in the Mamluk era, during the 14th century.

History

No founding inscription exists, so the exact year of construction is not known. However, it was estimated to have been built during the third reign of Al-Nasir Muhammad.[1]

The building was destroyed by a flood that occurred on January 20, 1612. The mosque was restored in June of the same year.[1] An inscription tells about the construction and restoration by Husayn Pasha ibn Yusuf Sayfa, the governor of Tripoli.[2]

Architecture

The outside of the building is not decorated.[1] The structure comprises a minaret in its northwestern corner. On a square base rests an octagonal shaft. On its top is a square balcony.[1]

The entrance lies below the street level, some steps that are covered by an arch lead down to its door.[1] The central part is the prayer hall that is covered by vaults over which three green domes form its roof. In its center an axial mihrab is flanked by two smaller mihrabs to its sides like in the Mansouri Great Mosque.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Salam-Liebich . Hayat . 1983 . 93-100.
  2. Book: Lebanon: Suggestions for the Plan of Tripoli and for the Surroundings of the Baalbek Acropolis: Report of the UNESCO Mission of 1953 . . 1953 . .