Grand Mosque at Bani

The Grand Mosque at Bani is located in a small village in the desert. The mosque was the idea of a local man, Mohamed el-Hajj. He came up with the idea after he returned from a pilgrimage he had gone on foot. The villagers rallied and in less than two years, in poverty, finished the job. The main mosque and six surrounding churches are grouped together in the shape of a man praying. The buildings are simple, made of clay, wood, and mud bricks, and - unusually - face the direction opposite Mecca.

This is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Burkina Faso. It has a very large area and is decorated in the Sudano-Sahelian style. If you have the opportunity to travel to Burkina Faso, you should not miss this charming monument.

Location: Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso