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The Hundred-Column Mosque (in Arabic: مسجد المائة عمود), also known as the Great Mosque of Cherchell (جامع شرشال الكبير), is a mosque located in Cherchell, Algeria. Built in the 16th century, it is an example of Maghrebian Islamic architecture, influenced by Hispano-Moorish and Ottoman styles.
History
The mosque was built in 981 AH (1573-1574 AD) by a Moor from Spain, the son of Sidi Ayad, a cadi of Granada and jurist. It was erected on the remains of an ancient Roman temple, which explains the presence of numerous granite columns from antiquity.
During the French colonial period (1830-1962), the mosque was transformed into a civil and military hospital, leading to significant modifications to its interior structure, including the addition of partitions to create rooms and secondary spaces.
After Algeria’s independence in 1962, the mosque was restored and regained its religious function. Restoration work was undertaken to remove the partitions added during the colonial period and to rebuild the mihrab, which had been destroyed.
Architecture
The Hundred-Column Mosque is characterized by its large hypostyle prayer hall, supported by numerous granite columns. It also has an inner courtyard (sahn), a square-based minaret, and covered galleries.
The prayer hall is divided into naves perpendicular to the qibla wall, oriented towards Mecca. The richly decorated mihrab is located in an elevated bay at the center of the prayer hall. The minbar, the pulpit from which the imam delivers the Friday sermon, is located to the right of the mihrab.
The inner courtyard is surrounded by porticos and once housed the ablution basin. The minaret, located at the northern corner of the mosque, is square-shaped and has three floors. It is decorated with battlements and topped with a lantern.
The Hundred-Column Mosque (in Arabic: مسجد المائة عمود), also known as the Great Mosque of Cherchell (جامع شرشال الكبير), is a mosque located in Cherchell, Algeria. Built in the 16th century, it is an example of Maghrebian Islamic architecture, influenced by Hispano-Moorish and Ottoman styles.
History
The mosque was built in 981 AH (1573-1574 AD) by a Moor from Spain, the son of Sidi Ayad, a cadi of Granada and jurist. It was erected on the remains of an ancient Roman temple, which explains the presence of numerous granite columns from antiquity.
During the French colonial period (1830-1962), the mosque was transformed into a civil and military hospital, leading to significant modifications to its interior structure, including the addition of partitions to create rooms and secondary spaces.
After Algeria’s independence in 1962, the mosque was restored and regained its religious function. Restoration work was undertaken to remove the partitions added during the colonial period and to rebuild the mihrab, which had been destroyed.
Architecture
The Hundred-Column Mosque is characterized by its large hypostyle prayer hall, supported by numerous granite columns. It also has an inner courtyard (sahn), a square-based minaret, and covered galleries.
The prayer hall is divided into naves perpendicular to the qibla wall, oriented towards Mecca. The richly decorated mihrab is located in an elevated bay at the center of the prayer hall. The minbar, the pulpit from which the imam delivers the Friday sermon, is located to the right of the mihrab.
The inner courtyard is surrounded by porticos and once housed the ablution basin. The minaret, located at the northern corner of the mosque, is square-shaped and has three floors. It is decorated with battlements and topped with a lantern.
