Taynal mosque

Located on the left bank of the Abu ‘Ali River, near the Bâb al-Raml cemetery, this mosque was commissioned by Taynal, governor of Tripoli (r. 1326-1333, 1335-1340 and 1341) whom ’Ibn Battata[1] describes as a rich man. The waqf act, engraved in the inner portal, details the considerable revenues that are to ensure the upkeep of the building. The mosque has always intrigue its visitors, because of particularities that set it apart from the other monuments of Tripoli. In 1700, Al-Nabulsi described it as "having a strange style and surprising architecture". 

To the north, the entrance is marked by a large pointed arch containing a rectangular door surrounded by superimposed black and white stonework, in accordance with the ablaq system. This entrance was apparently changed in a later period, involving the addition of an arch-shaped awning jutting out on the façade. It leads to the first section of the mosque. In the entrance hall, the rectangular space is divided into three aisles by four granite columns of various sizes. The central aisle, the widest, is covered by two domes. This part still has its marble mosaic floor covering, but the marble fountain has disappeared.

On the wall opposite the entrance, a monumental portal, entirely decorated in ablaq, opens onto the second section of the mosque. Located in the axis of the mihrab, it is adorned with multicoloured marble marquetry panels with geometric decorations, with muqarnas topped by a small dome, and with inscriptions in naskhi and square Kufic script. In this second section, the slightly lower central space is covered with a dome supported by four massive pillars; a wide gallery surrounds it, inset on its south wall with a mihrab in front of which there is a ribbed dome. The very simple mihrab, whose arch rests on two small columns, contrasts with a minbar made of wood richly ornamented with geometric motifs and arabesques, as well as an inscription in naskhi indicating its date of completion and the name or the craftsman. On the east wall, there are two doors, one leading to a domed mausoleum[2], the other to the minaret. The latter is a small tower with a square then octagonal shaft, ending in a parapet with a small lantern topped by a dome. On the square part there are windows with coussinets arches in vogue under the Mamluk[3]. The minaret has two separate inner staircases; one leads inside the mosque, the other outside, reminiscent of the Andalusian minarets[4]. 

The layout and granite columns with Corinthian capitols – clearly reclaimed materials – indicate that the Taynâl mosque was constructed on the site of ancient buildings, probably a Carmelite church from the Crusades period, itself built over a Roman temple. This is not without evoking other mosques constructed over ancient religious buildings, such as the Great Mosque of Damascus or that of Hama. The ribbed dome in front of the mihrab perhaps indicates an influence from North Africa.

The marble marquetry on the indoor walls and floors uses motifs that are common in the Mamluk decorative vocabulary, such as stars, swastikas and square Kufic. The later is a type of geometric Kufic script, widespread in Iran and Iraq from the thirteenth century and that became very frequent during the Mamluk era, especially in Cairo where it first appeared in the mausoleum of Qala’un (1284-85). It is also found on other monuments in Tripoli, such as the madrasa al-Burtasiya.

[1] Arab writer and traveller (1304-1368-69 or 1377) from Morocco, author of a famous travelogue.

[2] It does not contain the tomb of Prince Taynal, who died in Damascus.

[3] Cairo, minarets of Qala’un (1285), and of Sanjar and Salar (1303).

[4] Minaret of ‘Abd al-Rahmân III at the Great Mosque of Cordoba, 958.