Tomb of Askia
Mali · Africa
關於
The Tomb of Askia, in Gao, Mali, is believed to be the burial place of Askia Muhammad I, one of the Songhai Empire's most prolific emperors. It was built at the end of the fifteenth century and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although Askia Mohammed I is the only individual who was buried within the tomb, several other Askias are buried in the courtyard.
UNESCO describes the tomb as a fine example of the monumental mud-building traditions of the West African Sahel. The complex includes the pyramidal tomb, two mosques, a cemetery and an assembly ground. At 17 metres (56 ft) in height, it is the largest pre-colonial architectural monument in Gao. It is a notable example of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style that later spread throughout the region.
The tomb remains in use as place of worship and publicly owned cultural centre for the city of Gao. The tomb complex and a buffer area around it are protected by both national and local laws.
內容改寫自 Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。照片來自 Wikimedia Commons.