Sidi Yahiya Mosque Travel Guide: Top Sights in Mali, Tours & Travel

⁰

Sidi Yahiya Mosque- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Religious Beliefs; Mali; 5 Reviews

+1 Photos

Suggested Duration: 1 hours

The Sidi Yahya Mosque, located in Timbuktu, Mali, is a historic mosque and madrasa completed in 1440 after 40 years of construction. Named after its first imam, Sidi Yahya al-Tadelsi, it forms part of the University of Timbuktu alongside the Djinguereber and Sankore mosques. Built in the Sudano-Sahelian style using earth and wood, its design reflects both Islamic and local ancestral traditions. The mosque suffered damage in 2012 when jihadists destroyed its doors and tombs, but restoration efforts led by UNESCO and local craftsmen have since repaired the structure, including its minaret and sacred gate. The site remains an important religious and cultural landmark in Mali.

Operators offering tours in Mali

Happy Explore Safari *

Attractions in Timbuktu

Djingareyber Mosque

Heinrich Barth House

Ahmed Baba Institute

4.6

Sankoré Madrasa

Reviews of Sidi Yahiya Mosque

Anas Siddique

5
Reviewed: 2023-06-02

A very beautiful and symbollic mosque in Timbuktu.
TheReALQueen

5
Reviewed: 2022-06-21

Much better than the mosque in Gossi ngl, dont tell them i said that 😬🥺😬🥺😬🥺
Mohammed Ikram

5
Reviewed: 2021-04-05

It is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Sidi Yahya is named for its first imam and head professor Sidi Yahya (also called Sidi Yahya Tadelsi or Sidi Yahya Al Andulusi). The mosque is located south of the more famous Sankoré Mosque. Construction of the Sidi Yahya mosque was begun in 1400 by Sheikh El-Mokhtar Hamalla in expectation of a great holy person. It took 40 years to complete. In 1441 Mohamed Naddah, the city-governor of Timbuktu, appointed his close friend Sidi Yahya as its first imam. This marked the beginning of the mosque as a madrassa and a great center of learning. Its original shape was altered in 1939 to reduce its appearance as a military fortress. The original minaret, however, is still in place. Beneath it are the sepulchres of Sidi Yahya and Mohamed Naddah who are said to have died one week apart. Must visit while in Timbuktu.
Gideon Martin

1
Reviewed: 2019-03-27

Guys, will someone please help me, I’m lost, there’s absolutely nothing here. I’m like in the middle of Timbuktu.
Amjad Mahmood Khan

5
Reviewed: 2018-12-09

Mali is known by the name of this Masjid around the world.