{"id":40158,"date":"2022-07-08T11:38:18","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T03:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/?p=40158"},"modified":"2022-11-02T17:28:49","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T09:28:49","slug":"most-beautiful-mosques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/most-beautiful-mosques\/","title":{"rendered":"YouTrip\u2019s Alternative Guide to the Most Beautiful Mosques In The World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the spiralling minaret of Malwiya Tower to the sun-dried mud bricks of the Great Mosque of Djenn\u00e9, here are the most beautiful mosques to visit the next time you step off the beaten track!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When you think about the most beautiful mosques in the world, which ones come to mind? Would it be Istanbul\u2019s Sultan Ahmed Mosque with its hand-painted blue tiles from the Byzantine era, or do you picture the sheer grandeur of Abu Dhabi\u2019s white-and-gold marvel instead? The unbelievably pretty Pink Mosque of Iran will definitely pop up \u2014 and we wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the iconic Dome of the Rock situated in the Old City of Jerusalem wins you over. And why wouldn\u2019t they? They are all gorgeous in their own right. Yet, in this alternative guide, we\u2019re shedding some light on the lesser-known beauties that lay hidden off the beaten track.  

Remember, when visiting a mosque, dress modestly in loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs. If you\u2019re entering the prayer area you\u2019ll need to remove your socks, so a clean pair would be ideal. Ladies, while not all mosques will ask you to cover your head, it\u2019s always good to have one with you just in case (plus it\u2019s a great multi-functional clothing item to pack in your suitcase regardless)!

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1. Old Mosque, Mauritania<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: Tripadvisor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hidden in the Sahara desert of Northwest Africa is the fortified medieval village of Chinguetti. There you\u2019ll find the largest and most important mosque of the 13th and 14th centuries \u2014 the Old Mosque (aka Masjid Chinguetti or Friday Mosque). Despite the shifting sands and harsh conditions that surround it, the prayer room and minaret (that is supposedly the second oldest in continuous use anywhere in the Muslim world) still stand to this day and are said to be used by locals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Schwetzingen Mosque, The Schwetzingen Palace Gardens, Germany<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image Credits: Schloss-schwetzingen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Constructed in 1795, the Schwetzingen Mosque is the last surviving \u201cGarden Mosque\u201d from the 18th century \u2014 it is also the first German mosque to be constructed amidst the French-style Baroque gardens of Schwetzingen Castle. Built by the European royalties of old to express their enlightenment and tolerance for other religions, the mosque itself did not actually serve any religious purpose. It did, however, act as the meeting place for the founders of Germany\u2019s first Islamic Academy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. The Great Mosque of Djenn\u00e9, Mali <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: Zamani Project<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The city of Djenn\u00e9 was considered the epicentre of Islam and commerce in Africa in the 13th century, with the Great Mosque of Djenn\u00e9 taking the form of a political symbol for local residents and colonial French powers alike. Made from sun-dried mud bricks coated with clay and palm-trunk inserts, the UNESCO-protected Great Mosque of Djenn\u00e9 is still one of Africa\u2019s most revered religious monuments. Designed in a neo-Sudanese fashion, the mosque is also one of the largest surviving examples of distinctive African architecture as well as the largest mud-built structure in the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Missiri Mosque, Fr\u00e9jus, France <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image Credits: Islam en France<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you feel like you\u2019ve seen this Missiri Mosque before, it\u2019s because you have! This mosque is a replica of the Great Mosque of Djenn\u00e9 in Mali, built by and for the Senegalese Tirailleurs to curb any homesickness they felt in France. Today, the mosque mains as property of the Ministry of Defence and serves more as a symbol rather than an actual place of worship. You can, however, visit it from July to the third week of September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Ljubljana Mosque, Slovenia<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: The Architectural Review<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Made from white concrete, steel and glass, the minimalistic Ljubljana Mosque is Slovenia’s first-ever mosque \u2014 built half a century after the initial request was made despite much opposition and setbacks. Its glass exterior is meant to show transparency and openness to its city and serve as a platform for the modern Muslim community. It is also part of the Islamic Cultural Centre that includes a library, restaurant, basketball court, housing for staff, and a 40-metre high minaret. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo, Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: Tripadvisor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once a reliable landmark for sailors approaching Colombo harbour in 1908, the striking Red Mosque still sticks out in clear juxtaposition to the surrounding Pettah neighbourhood to this day. Built to accommodate international traders from Arabia, the mosque drew inspiration from neo-classical and Indo-Saracenic architecture styles of that time. We\u2019re especially huge fans of the pomegranate-shaped domes that deviate from the usual onion-shaped ones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Tokyo Camii, Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: Tripadvisor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Located just a stone\u2019s throw from Shinjuku and Harajuku is Japan\u2019s largest mosque \u2014 Tokyo Camii. Built in a similar fashion to Istanbul\u2019s famous Blue Mosque (with building materials and furnishings brought over from Turkey), you can expect to see the same gorgeous Ottoman and Byzantine-era details here. We recommend coming in Spring to see the flowers bloom around the mosque and booking a seat at least a week in advance to enjoy an authentic Turkish meal while you are at the mosque. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: Westend61<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Part of the Samarra Archeological City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the stunning Great Mosque of Samarra was built in the 9th century and its spiralling minaret, Malwiya Tower, stretches over its surroundings at 52 meters in height. It has been said that the Great Mosque of Samarra was at one point in time, the largest mosque in the world and was only destroyed in 1258 by Genghis Khan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun fact, the city’s name is actually a shortened version of the Arabic sentence ”a joy for all those who see it”! Today, while Samarra is currently controlled by militia, if you get the correct permits and are allowed to the site, you can climb all the way to the top of the tower \u2014 at your own risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the most beautiful mosques in the world <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit These Most Beautiful Mosques In The World With YouTrip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Now that you know where the most beautiful mosques in the world are, you are all set for your next adventure overseas. When planning your next trip, don\u2019t forget to check out with your YouTrip card<\/a> to make full use of our Wholesale Exchange Rates and skip those pesky bank fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have a YouTrip card yet, sign up now and be sure to check out our YouTrip Perks<\/a> page for exclusive offers and promotions too! For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram(@YouTripSG)<\/a> and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here<\/a> or down below! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while you’re at it, why not join the conversation with thousands of #YouTroopers in our very own Community Telegram Group @YouTripSquad<\/a>? Get tips and tricks to everything YouTrip including exclusive invites to exciting events and experiences, & be part of the #YouTripSquad! \ud83d\udc9c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay safe, and happy travels!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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