Taynal Mosque
Taynal Mosque stands in Bab Al Ramel, south of Tripoli’s old city. Among the city’s historic mosques, it is especially admired for the richness of its architecture and decoration, and is second in importance to the Great Mansouri Mosque. Its distinctive atmosphere has given it a special place in the religious life of Tripoli.
Prince Saif Al Din Taynal Al Hajib, the Mamluk governor of Tripoli, built the mosque on the ruins of a Crusader church. The granite columns and Gothic and Corinthian capitals incorporated into the building are associated with an even earlier temple that preceded the church.
The first prayer hall has a colored marble floor and two domes, one to the north and one to the south. A richly decorated marble portal leads from this space into the second prayer hall. Set inside the mosque between the two sections, the portal has been protected from the weather, helping its carved and ornamental details survive in particularly good condition.
The second hall has a distinctly Islamic architectural character. Four massive pillars support the main central dome, while a smaller, elaborately decorated dome rises above the mihrab. Colored mosaics arranged in Islamic geometric motifs enrich the floor.
The mosque’s carved wooden furnishing is a masterpiece of Mamluk craftsmanship. Its inscriptions record the date of manufacture and the name of the craftsman responsible for the work.
Because Taynal originally stood outside the old city, its architecture also incorporated defensive provisions. The minaret resembles a fortified tower, and passages within the walls provided guards with shelter in times of danger. These features give parts of the mosque the character of a small fortress while remaining integrated into its religious design.
