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Showing posts with the label Mosques

Grand Mosque of Paris, France

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The Grand Mosque of Paris was built between 1922 and 1926 to honour the North African countries that helped France during World War I and the thousands of Muslims who lost their lives in the fight. During World War II it provided shelter to Jews, even issuing false birth certificates to ensure their safety. The Hispano Moorish building is dominated by the 33m tall minaret. Inspired by the Al Alhambra the garden includes pools, fountains and luxuriant vegetation, a small oasis in the middle of Paris. People are also drawn to the Mosque for its superb tea room, the restaurant and the Hamman. Opening hours: 9am to 12pm and 2 pm to 7 pm (6pm in Winter). Entrance fee: €3 (Nov. 2017)

Mosque Yiali Tzami, Chania, Greece

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The Mosque Yiali Tzami dominates the Chania Harbour. This was the first mosque built in Crete, after the Ottomans conquered Chania, in 1649. It was built on the site of a small church. The mosque was operative until 1923 when the last Muslims left Crete. The minaret was destroyed in the early 20th century. The mosque was actually named after Kuçuk Hassan Pasha, the first military governor of Chania, but is known as Yiali Tzami from the Turkish "Yali Tzamissi" meaning "mosque by the seaside". It is now used for temporary exhibitions. Back to Chania

Blue Mosque, Istambul, Turkey

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The Sultan Ahmet Mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles in its interior. The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmet I, on the site of a Byzantine palace. The mosque includes six minarets which, at the time, was as many as Mecca's minarets. When criticised for his presumption, the Sultan explained he was misunderstood, as he had asked for golden minarets (similar word to six in Turkish). Nevertheless, he paid for a seventh minaret to be built at Mecca. The Blue Mosque is an active mosque so it's closed to non-worshipers during daily prayers. Entrance free Avoid visiting the mosque during daily prayers. Dress appropriately. How to go: Sultanahmet light train station

Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, Spain

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The Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral was built on top of the Visigothic Saint Vincent's basilica, which was destroyed by orders of Abdemarran the II, to give way to the main mosque of the city. It dates back to the 10th century when Cordoba was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe. The Mosque was consecrated as a Christian Cathedral in the same year Cordoba was reconquered but few changes occurred during the next three centuries.It was only in the 16th century that the renaissance cathedral, in the middle of the mosque, was built. Opening hours : Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Nov. to Feb.) Sundays and holidays 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Nov. to Feb.) Ticket (standard) : €8