The Bou Maiza Mosque (in Arabic: جامع بومعيزة) is a mosque located in Ténès, Algeria. Built in the ix and xi centuries during the reign of the Rostemid dynasty, it is considered to be the oldest intact mosque in Algeria, in a style inspired by the Great Mosque of Damascus.
Architecture
The Bou Maiza Mosque is the second oldest mosque in Algeria after the Sidi Ghanem Mosque of Mila. It resembles the first mosque of Medina and whose model was also replicated in Damascus. It features a hypostyle prayer hall with five naves parallel to the qibla wall. To the north facade of the mosque is attached an ablution room and a small courtyard where the tomb of Sheikh Sidi M’ammar is located. By taking a slightly oblique small entrance, one finds the prayer hall; the mosque’s mihrab is polygonal with an octagonal niche similar to the Great Mosque of Cordoba.
It is built with sandstone, limestone, tile, plaster mortar, lime mortar, brick, and antique cut stone. The exterior architectural decor is designed in bricks, with some marble plaques. The interior decor is made of ceramic tiles, wooden elements, and sculpted plaster.
The mosque suffered a series of damages following the earthquakes of 1954 and 1980, which affected the Chlef region. The renovation works that were undertaken significantly altered the original plans and layouts.
Classification as a Historical Monument
It was classified among the historical sites and monuments on 09/05/1905 during the French colonial era, and the classification was renewed upon Algeria’s Independence on 23/01/1968 in accordance with Article 62 of Ordinance No. 67-281 of 20/12/1967.
The Bou Maiza Mosque (in Arabic: جامع بومعيزة) is a mosque located in Ténès, Algeria. Built in the ix and xi centuries during the reign of the Rostemid dynasty, it is considered to be the oldest intact mosque in Algeria, in a style inspired by the Great Mosque of Damascus.
Architecture
The Bou Maiza Mosque is the second oldest mosque in Algeria after the Sidi Ghanem Mosque of Mila. It resembles the first mosque of Medina and whose model was also replicated in Damascus. It features a hypostyle prayer hall with five naves parallel to the qibla wall. To the north facade of the mosque is attached an ablution room and a small courtyard where the tomb of Sheikh Sidi M’ammar is located. By taking a slightly oblique small entrance, one finds the prayer hall; the mosque’s mihrab is polygonal with an octagonal niche similar to the Great Mosque of Cordoba.
It is built with sandstone, limestone, tile, plaster mortar, lime mortar, brick, and antique cut stone. The exterior architectural decor is designed in bricks, with some marble plaques. The interior decor is made of ceramic tiles, wooden elements, and sculpted plaster.
The mosque suffered a series of damages following the earthquakes of 1954 and 1980, which affected the Chlef region. The renovation works that were undertaken significantly altered the original plans and layouts.
Classification as a Historical Monument
It was classified among the historical sites and monuments on 09/05/1905 during the French colonial era, and the classification was renewed upon Algeria’s Independence on 23/01/1968 in accordance with Article 62 of Ordinance No. 67-281 of 20/12/1967.
