The Bou Ftata Mosque
History
The Bou Ftata mosque was built between 838 and 841 during the reign of the Aghalbide emir Aboul Affan. This mosque would have ordered his servant Foutata to erect this mosque, hence the origin of the name Bou Ftata. Although it is a small and modest construction, the Bou Ftata mosque inhabit an important place in Islamic architecture and history: it is indeed considered one of the oldest mosques in the city of Sousse .
Urban and Architectural
The Bou Ftata mosque, located at the southern end of the medina of Sousse, is built on the basis of a rectangular plan housing a small square prayer hall (8 meters by 8). At the entrance to the mosque is a porch with three arches resting on pillars and a Kufic inscription above, which indicates the date of its construction. The mihrab is located in a cul-de-four niche topped with a half-dome and resting on small columns.
Description
The mosque served as a model for the Great Mosque of Sousse, the Kasbah Mosque and the Zitouna Mosque. It also offers the first dated inscription after that of the Dome of the Rock and the first on the facade in Ifriqiya, even before that of the Three Doors Mosque in Kairouan.
Details
Location
The medina of Sousse Tunisia
Worshippers
60
Owners
The Tunisian Government
Year of Build
841
Area
200
Drawings
Map
History
The Bou Ftata mosque was built between 838 and 841 during the reign of the Aghalbide emir Aboul Affan. This mosque would have ordered his servant Foutata to erect this mosque, hence the origin of the name Bou Ftata. Although it is a small and modest construction, the Bou Ftata mosque inhabit an important place in Islamic architecture and history: it is indeed considered one of the oldest mosques in the city of Sousse .
Urban and Architectural
The Bou Ftata mosque, located at the southern end of the medina of Sousse, is built on the basis of a rectangular plan housing a small square prayer hall (8 meters by 8). At the entrance to the mosque is a porch with three arches resting on pillars and a Kufic inscription above, which indicates the date of its construction. The mihrab is located in a cul-de-four niche topped with a half-dome and resting on small columns.
Description
The mosque served as a model for the Great Mosque of Sousse, the Kasbah Mosque and the Zitouna Mosque. It also offers the first dated inscription after that of the Dome of the Rock and the first on the facade in Ifriqiya, even before that of the Three Doors Mosque in Kairouan.