Ivory Coast: Kong – Grande Mosque of Kong

Rivaling in its beauty the iconic Djenne or Timbuktu mosques in Mali, the Grande Mosque of Kong is truly spectacular, especially when basking in the glowing sunset light. The traditional mudbrick Sudanese-Sahelian architecture of mudbrick pillars and wooden supports (torons) is unlike any other style. The rectangular mosque has many towers, each capped with multiple real ostrich eggs. Interior is cool and could fit a lot of praying worshippers. There are also small bats in the darkest corners. The food is accessible and offers more perspective on the mosque and the surrounding town of Kong. The mosque dates back to the mid 17th century, when a mighty Kong Empire was established here as the city became a prominent trading center. Just a short distance away is a much smaller Petite Mosque of King, also in a very similar mudbrick style. Both mosques are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Every year the mosques have to be meticulously restored as the rainy season ranges and washes away the mudbrick clay.