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The Great Mosque
Tripoli, Lebanon
Begun in 1294
and completed in 1315, the Great Mosque was built on the ruined
12th century Crusader cathedral of St. Mary of the Tower.
Its large
courtyard is surrounded by porticos and a domed and vaulted prayer
hall. Inside, one can still see elements of Western architecture
from the old church, including the northern entrance and the
Lombard
style bell tower which was transformed into the minaret.
The many
foundation plaques and decrees inscribed in the Great Mosque and
its surrounding madrassas not only inform us about the building,
but also reveal details of the daily life of the Mamluke period.
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