historic mosque built architectural style village oldest mosque country oldest west_africa referred west_africa undergone restoration times originally founded 17th century according contributed substantially restoration lists endangered sites restoration works revived knowledge mud plaster maintenance mosque old believed locals given gift heaven time result prayers mosque built mud tall towers shape faces forming facade east northeast corner shaped structures fitted timber elements location mosque located islamic town close town situated kilometers north kilometers south mole national park entrance history according legend islamic trader named dream staying near mystic stone instructing build mosque strangely found foundations place proceeded construct mosque completed believed remains buried tree mosque unlike situated urban settings west_africa mosque comparatively small rural like usually conceived single loosely based styles seen great mosque order achieve physical resemblance architecture incorporate large buttresses order compensate poorer quality building materials ancient highly revered oldest place pilgrimage considered west_africa 1970s mixture sand cement applied external faces mosque hoping protect mosque getting damaged wind rain treatment resulted substantial damage building moisture trapped walls built mud started deterioration process structure wooden supports humid conditions resulted mosque collapsing repair work caused structural elements exterior mosque owing effect prevailing winds rains walls mosque needed renovations restoration work years altered exterior designs september severe storm destroyed result placed mosque world monuments watch considering damage sustained inappropriate restoration 1970s decided fully restore mosque sought advice architectural firm based france expertise building structures renovation work supported grant fund local community provided support conservation process involved removal earlier cement plaster surfaces mosque wooden structural components replaced reconstructed portal redone interior exterior surfaces traditional way renovation resulted state conservation site involving team local labourers helped restore monument special emphasis reviving knowledge mud plaster maintenance features like built traditional architectural style local materials construction techniques mosque built mud measures metres metres towers shape faces forming facade east northeast corner addition buttresses conical shape external walls strengthened horizontally aligned timber elements architectural style known flat architecture structures given white wash mosque old believed locals given gift heaven time result prayers local community supported tourism project generate funds meeting maintenance expenses mosque improve economic conditions people
Larabanga Mosque