The Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso

The Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso, in Burkina Faso's lively second city, is one of the finest examples of Sudano-Sahelian mud architecture in the country, built around the end of the nineteenth century. Its sculpted walls and tapering conical towers, bristling with the protruding wooden beams typical of the style, which also serve as scaffolding for regular re-plastering, give it a striking, organic silhouette. The mosque stands at the heart of Kibidwe, the atmospheric old quarter of the city, a warren of ancient earthen houses, workshops and winding lanes beside a sacred stream. Together they form one of the most characterful historic districts in West Africa, rich in tradition and everyday life.

What you actually see

• The earthen mosque - the sculpted towers and wooden beams.
• The old quarter - the ancient Kibidwe district of earthen houses.
• The winding lanes - the workshops and traditional life.
• The sacred stream - the historic waters beside the old town.

When to go

November to February, the cool dry season, is the most comfortable time to explore the mosque and old quarter on foot, avoiding the intense heat and summer rains; the earthen architecture glows beautifully in the warm morning and evening light. Bobo-Dioulasso's easygoing atmosphere is a pleasure in the mild months.

Honest expectations

The mosque's interior is generally reserved for worshippers, so visitors admire its remarkable exterior and explore the surrounding old quarter, ideally with a local guide. As a striking Sudano-Sahelian mud mosque at the heart of one of West Africa's most atmospheric historic districts, though, the Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso is a genuinely rewarding and characterful sight.

Nearby

The lively city of Bobo-Dioulasso and the Sindou Peaks lie in the region.