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The Mosque of Agadez, Agadez is the most striking structure housed in Agadez, the 14th century town located in Niger. Agadez is basically the town comprising of the major markets of the country. It is also the largest city in Niger. It is a Saharan town and is the capital of Air. It lies at the crossroads, 740 kilometers to the northeast of Niamey. Agadez was once the site that marked the rule of the Tuereg Sultnate, most probably during the 15th century. So there are various historical monuments scattered here and there in the town. The Mosque of Agadez, Agadez is one such structure and one of the most remarkable tourist attractions in Agadez.

The Agadez Grand Mosque was originally built in the year 1515 but was restored in the year 1844, keeping the old form intact. It is a great spot of sightseeing in Agadez.

The Agadez Town actually stands at Air Massif of Niger in West Africa. Previously it was a market place, which was frequented by the Tuereg pastoral nomads. The location of Agadez on the trans-Saharan routes facilitated the arrival of the nomads. It linked Egypt and Libya with the Lake Chad area. The city was actually founded in the 11th century. The Mali empire ruled over this place during the 14th century and in 1515 it was captured by the Songhai Empire. During the 17th century it was ruled by the Bornu Dynasty. It continued to be a trade center during the 19th century and flourished as a Islamic learning center. In the 20th century it was captured by the French.

The Agadez Grand Mosque is a clay mosque in Agadez. It is a 30 meter tall minaret spiked with wooden sticks, which is one of the Sudanese tradition. The mosque has been a center of Islamic studies and still pursuing the tradition.

The mosque is squat arched square sided minaret with 14 courses of wooden sticks protruding outside. The mosque was first constructed by the order of the Songhai emperor Muhammad Askia, after he conquered Agadez. At present it is the tallest mud bricked minaret in entire Africa. The structure has some influence of the Greek architecture over it. The midpoint of the minaret has swelled at the two ends, which is a characteristics of the Greek columns. Now it has become bit asymmetrical due to the influence of the easterly winds.The interior of the mosque consists of a network of side rows and forward side lines. The ceiling is low

The Sand brick Sultan's Palace is just next to the Mosque, which is the residence of the present Sultan, whom Tourists can meet on permission. The Sultan climbs the mosque's winding stairs till these days for his 'muezzins' or prayer.If you can meet the Sultan it will be inscribed in your mind as one of the most glorious things to do in Agadez.

So plan for your Agadez Tour and enjoy the antiquities of this 14th century Saharan city to at full bloom.

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Tourist Attractions in Agadez
Mosque of Agadez Agadez	Palace of Sultan Agadez