Tomb of Askia

Tomb of Askia
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tomb of Askia
LocationGao, Mali
CriteriaCultural: (ii), (iii), (iv)
Reference1139
Inscription2004 (28th Session)
Endangered2012–...
Area4.24 ha (456,000 sq ft)
Buffer zone82.7 ha (8,900,000 sq ft)
Coordinates16°17′23″N 0°02′40″W / 16.28972°N 0.04444°W / 16.28972; -0.04444
Tomb of Askia is located in Mali
Tomb of Askia
Location of Tomb of Askia in Mali

The Tomb of Askia, in Gao, Mali, is believed to be the burial place of Askia Mohammad 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.

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.[1] It is a notable example of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style that later spread throughout the region.

Relatively recent modifications to the site have included the expansion of the mosque buildings in the 1960s and mid-1970s, and the 1999 construction of a wall around the site. It has also been regularly replastered throughout its history, a process essential to the maintenance and repair of mud structures. Electricity was added in the early 2000s, allowing for ceiling fans, lights and a loudspeaker mounted on top.

Askia is in regular use as a mosque and a publicly owned cultural centre for the city of Gao. The site and a buffer area around it are protected by both national and local laws.

  1. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "UNESCO World Heritage Centre - State of Conservation (SOC 2021) Tomb of Askia (Mali)". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2022-12-08.