The golden domes
On the roof.
Mohamed Finando — CC BY 4.0 · Mohamed Finando — CC BY 4.0 · Mohamed Finando — CC BY 4.0 · Ourysow92 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Grand Mosque of Conakry, also known as the Faisal Mosque, is the largest mosque in Guinea and one of the largest in West Africa. It stands in the Camayenne district of the capital, Conakry, east of the Botanical Garden. It is known for its four tall minarets, golden domes and a vast esplanade that holds thousands of worshippers at Eid. It was built between 1979 and 1981 with funding from King Fahd bin Abdulaziz and opened in 1982. The upper level holds about 2,500 women and the lower about 10,000 men, with room for some 12,500 more on the esplanade. Its gardens contain the Camayenne Mausoleum, with the graves of national figures from Guinea's history. You see a broad cream and green building topped by small golden domes and a larger central one, ringed by four slender white minarets with green tips. A very wide paved square lies in front, with trees and gardens around. From above, the minarets rise over the city's roofs. It is about 4 km from central Conakry in a straight line. Dress modestly, women should cover their heads, and avoid prayer times, above all on Friday. Ask the keepers before entering or taking photos.
On the roof.
Slender and white.
For thousands.
Near the Botanical Garden, Camayenne, Conakry, Guinea
About 12,500 inside, and about as many on the esplanade.
Ask the keepers, and avoid prayer times.