Those interested for archeology and architecture would definitely want to spend their holidays in Djenne, Mali.
Djenné is an important historical town in Mopti Region in Mali. It has about 33000 inhabitants and it is populated with diverse ethnical groups. When we look back in history, since 15th and until 17th century, Djenné was very important Trans -Saharan trade point for goods such as salt and gold, as well as slaves. It was also centre of the Muslim scholarship.
The architecture of Djenné is very particular. The city was built in Sudanese-style. Almost every building in the town, including the Great Mosque, was made out of sun-baked mud bricks. These bricks were covered with mud plaster. The buildings made of mud brick need to be replastered every two years, sometimes more often, because rains are causing a lot of damage to these houses.
The houses are usually have two-storey and flat roof. They are built around a central courtyard. They have impressive facades reinforced with pilaster. Facades are usually decorated with palm sticks, which are called toron.
The most famous construction in Djenné is certainly The Great Mosque. It is the largest mud brick building in the world, and it was built in 1907 although the first mosque on this site was built in 13th century. Often it is considered as one of the landmarks of Africa, as one of the greatest achievements in Sudano-Sahelian style with Islamic architectural influence.
Due to its isolated position, Djenné today doesn’t have important part in commercial and trading world like it had earlier. The local economy is based mostly in agriculture and livestock. Beside that, tourism is very important for the local population.
Djenné and also “Old Towns of Djenné” were declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1988. “Old Towns of Djenné” because as archeological site represents testimony to a civilization and their culture and Djenné as a remarkable example of a type of building which give unique appearance to this town.
