Share

Share

_Mosque of the Seven Sleepers in Chenini-Tataouine (مسجد الرقود السبعة)

Information

With its white appearance that contrasts with the surrounding rocky landscape, the mosque stands out for its slightly sloping minaret and dome roof. It is nestled between two rocky blocks: a crest with some headstones and a small hill where we probably find pre-Islamic remains. There is a spring near the monument on a nearby mound.

The prayer room has a rather sober architectural decoration. There are quite irregular pillars, low arches, corbels, interplay of coatings…However, the bottom of the arches supporting the domes bear relatively rich decorations. These are made in high relief on a plaster-based coating. We perceive geometric designs such as points, lines, discs, rectangles, rhombuses… And quite frequently, figures of human hands and feet.

Inside, the axis of the wall of the Qibla is smashed by a hollow 1.25 m deep, the upper part of which is formed by a cul-de-four with a low profile. The lower part of the niche is divided vertically into two side compartments separated by a low wall which reaches the level of the start of the arch. These recesses play the role of mihrab and of preaching pulpit with two steps or Minbar. This niche protrudes externally on the axis of the wall of the Qibla. At its northern corner, the prayer hall communicates with a funerary chamber with a circular plan. This is covered by a dome with a conical profile whose cap rests externally on two superimposed cylindrical drums. This space contains an elongated burial, covered with recently painted rubble.

On the west side, the prayer hall opens onto a cave dug into the hill in the form of a ghar. On this same rocky massif rises a minaret whose base is almost located at the height of the roof of the monument. This tower, slightly leaning towards the east, follows relatively the opposite inclination to that of the neighbouring hill.

References

https://www.al-sabil.tn/?p=5059

 

Mosque Data

Architect

Type

Local

Country

Tunisia

Owner/Founder

The Tunisian Government

Year

Area

200 m2

Drawings

Interactive Map

Mosque Data

Architect

Type

Local

Country

Tunisia

Owner/
Founder

The Tunisian Government

Year

Area

200 m2

Want to add some changes to this page?

Related Experts

Share

All Rights Reserved | Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecure © 2024

Please Sign In

Register

Suggest an edit

Your Contact Details

I agree to the terms outlined below:

You agree to upload and assign Mosqpedia Database the rights to use the content worldwide and in perpetuity across all current and future media platforms. Mosqpedia Database may edit, copy, adapt and translate your contribution.

The content will be distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Deed – Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International – Creative Commons

All data will be stored in line with data protection regulations.

Upload Images

I agree to the terms outlined below:

You agree to upload and assign Mosqpedia Database the rights to use the content worldwide and in perpetuity across all current and future media platforms. Mosqpedia Database may edit, copy, adapt and translate your contribution.

The content will be distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Deed – Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International – Creative Commons

All data will be stored in line with data protection regulations.

Guidance Regarding Image Size

You’re leaving us?