Tombouctou, Mali is a city of great history and culture. It is known as the “City of 333 Saints” and is one of the oldest cities in West Africa. Located in the heart of the Sahara Desert, Tombouctou has been a trading post for centuries, connecting the sub-Saharan region with the Mediterranean. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many ancient monuments, mosques, and other cultural sites. Here are the top 20 places to see in Tombouctou, Mali.
1. The Great Mosque of Djinguereber: Built in 1325, this mosque is the oldest in the city and is an example of traditional Sudanese architecture. It is also the largest mud-brick mosque in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. The Great Mosque of Sankore: Built in the 15th century, this mosque is the second largest in the city and is a great example of traditional Islamic architecture. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. The Tomb of Askia: Located in the Askia Mosque, this tomb is the burial place of Askia Muhammad, the ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1493 to 1528.
4. The Sidi Yahya Mosque: Built in the 15th century, this mosque is one of the oldest in the city and is an example of traditional Sudanese architecture.
5. The Tomb of Sidi Yahya: Located in the Sidi Yahya Mosque, this tomb is the burial place of Sidi Yahya, a 16th century Sufi saint.
6. The Tomb of El-Hajj: Located in the El-Hajj Mosque, this tomb is the burial place of El-Hajj, a 16th century Muslim scholar.
7. The El-Hajj Mosque: Built in the 16th century, this mosque is an example of traditional Sudanese architecture.
8. The Mausoleum of El-Hajj: Located in the El-Hajj Mosque, this mausoleum is the burial place of El-Hajj, a 16th century Muslim scholar.
9. The Great Mosque of Tombouctou: Built in the 15th century, this mosque is the largest in the city and is an example of traditional Sudanese architecture.
10. The Mausoleum of Askia: Located in the Askia Mosque, this mausoleum is the burial place of Askia Muhammad, the ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1493 to 1528.
11. The Mausoleum of Sidi Yahya: Located in the Sidi Yahya Mosque, this mausoleum is the burial place of Sidi Yahya, a 16th century Sufi saint.
12. The Mausoleum of El-Hajj: Located in the El-Hajj Mosque, this mausoleum is the burial place of El-Hajj, a 16th century Muslim scholar.
13. The Tomb of Tijaniyya: Located in the Tijaniyya Mosque, this tomb is the burial place of Tijaniyya, a 16th century Islamic scholar.
14. The Tijaniyya Mosque: Built in the 16th century, this mosque is an example of traditional Sudanese architecture.
15. The Mausoleum of Tijaniyya: Located in the Tijaniyya Mosque, this mausoleum is the burial place of Tijaniyya, a 16th century Islamic scholar.
16. The Tomb of Sidi Al-Mukhtar: Located in the Sidi Al-Mukhtar Mosque, this tomb is the burial place of Sidi Al-Mukhtar, a 16th century Sufi saint.
17. The Sidi Al-Mukhtar Mosque: Built in the 16th century, this mosque is an example of traditional Sudanese architecture.
18. The Mausoleum of Sidi Al-Mukhtar: Located in the Sidi Al-Mukhtar Mosque, this mausoleum is the burial place of Sidi Al-Mukhtar, a 16th century Sufi saint.
19. The Tomb of Ibn Battuta: Located in the Ibn Battuta Mosque, this tomb is the burial place of Ibn Battuta, a 14th century Islamic scholar.
20. The Ibn Battuta Mosque: Built in the 14th century, this mosque is an example of traditional Sudanese architecture.