| Building Name: | Great Mosque of Béjaia |
| Map Type: | Algeria |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Location: | Béjaia, Algeria |
| Coordinates: | 36.7511°N 5.0642°W |
| Religious Affiliation: | Sunni Islam (Maliki) |
| Region: | Algeria |
| District: | Béjaia |
| Consecration Year: | 1100 |
| Year Completed: | 1100 |
| Functional Status: | demolished |
| Architecture Type: | Mosque |
| Architecture Style: | Hammadid/Moorish |
| Construction Cost: | 86.000 mithqal |
| Minaret Quantity: | One |
| Minaret Height: | 56 m |
| Materials: | Brick, Marble, wood |
The Great Mosque of Bejaia (Arabic: الجامع الكبير بجاية|translit=el-Jemaa al-Kabīr libéjaïa) or Al-Mansuriyah Mosque (Arabic: جامع المنصورية|translit=el-Jemaa al-Mansuriyah) was a major historical mosque in Béjaïa, Algeria. It was built during the Hammadid Emirate around the year 1100, under the reign of Al-Mansur ibn al-Nasir.[1] [2] The mosque was destroyed by the Spanish after they took the city in 1510.[1]
Nothing remains of the Hammadid mosques in Béjaïa, including the Great Mosque, the Mosque of Rehane, and the Mosque of Natain (Arabic: مسجد النطاعين). However, Féraud's book about Béjaïa provides a detailed description of the Great Mosque. as well as in a book by Commander de Beylié. These sources mention that a calligrapher from Béjaïa named Al-Bajawi transferred a 12th-century manuscript in 1866. According to this manuscript, Prince Al-Mansur Al-Hamadi completed the construction of the Pearl Palace in 1100/484 and converted it into a mosque. He then placed two Monolithic columns within the palace, which were discovered inside an ancient, damaged church. Despite interest from the Pope in Rome to purchase them, Al-Mansur declined.[3] Al-Bajawi also noted that the Hammadid Emir constructed a dome and a minaret near the garden well, with impressive dimensions. The manuscript further reports that Al-Mansur spent 86 thousand golden mithqals on the mosque. Over time, the mosque became a center for scientific and religious education, attracting numerous scholars and ulama. Its renown continued during the Almohad era but ended in the 16th century when it was demolished by the Spanish fleet during their conquest of the city.[4] [5]
Algerian historian and archaeologist Dr. Rachid Bourouiba provides a comprehensive overview of the mosque's architectural features sourced from multiple references, including a 12th-century manuscript attributed to an author named Ibn Hammad, who is believed to be a descendant of the Almohad Caliph Abd al-Mumin, The description continues as follows:[6]