Mosque · Islamic
Chinguetti
Adrar Region, Mauritania
Mosque · Islamic
Adrar Region, Mauritania
Chinguetti is a historic caravan town in the Sahara traditionally regarded as Islam's seventh holiest city, known for its ancient mosque and libraries of centuries-old Islamic manuscripts.
The town's old libraries preserve centuries-old Quranic and scholarly manuscripts, and its traditional standing as a holy city reflects its historic role as a stop for West African pilgrims travelling toward Mecca.
Founded around the 13th century as a trading and pilgrimage staging post, Chinguetti grew into a significant centre of Islamic scholarship in West Africa, though it has since declined in population as the surrounding desert has encroached.