Are you looking to explore the history of Mauritania through the ages? There are a number of historical monuments in Mauritania including the time-honored buildings, palaces, and parks where you can learn about the glorious past of Mauritania. The presence of these historical sites and museums will take you on a walk through Mauritania âs rich history. If you are willing to have in-depth historical information about Mauritania, we recommend that you take a wonderful guided tour to cover the major historical attractions. Also, check the opening and closing time for each so that you can organize your time. Make sure that you go through the complete list of important monuments in Mauritania for a great trip:
List of Monuments in Mauritania
1. Banc dâArguin National Park
Banc dâArguin National Park is the countryâs most popular attraction. This UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular monuments in Mauritania is home to one of the worldâs largest bird sanctuaries and is an absolute must for bird lovers. Everything from pink flamingos, royal terns and gull-billed terns to white pelicans, grey pelicans and broad-billed sandpipers can be found here. Boat trips are the best way to see inhabitants in their full glory and travelers can embark on a special boat trip in the park. Spanning a vast area of over 120 miles, the park is a beautiful mixture of desert, coastal islands and sea. There are also a few archeological sites in the park which are worth a visit.
Address: Banc dâArguin National Park, Northwestern Mauritania, Mauritania.
2. National Museum
The National Museum provides travelers a great insight into the history and culture of Mauritania, also it is one of the best museums in the country. This multi-tiered building and iconic monument in Mauritania is well established, boasting a comprehensive collection of artifacts and archaeological exhibitions which tell the story of the small west African nation from the ins and outs of traditional Moorish culture to the way of life in modern-day. The museum also focuses on highlighting the specificities of each region of the country, thanks to a variety of exhibitions that reflect the overall context of the country’s history and highlight its geographical and cultural unity. Among the precious exhibits are: a chain mail found in the region of Koumbi Saleh, potteries of the region of Mederdra, jars of Tegdaouest, (discovered during the excavations led by Koltermann in 1998, on the site of the fort dâArguin). Also in the showroom, are exhibited the photos of the flood occurred in 1932 in Nouakchott and of a necropolis of the Ain en Nous.
Address: Rue Mohamedel Habib, Nouakchott, Mauritania.
3. Grande Mosquée
It is locally known as the Mosquee Saudique that is located in the southwest part of Nouakchott. This Grand Mosquee or a religious monument in Mauritania is hard to miss. This religious monument in Mauritania also called as Saudi Mosque, likely referring to where the money to build it came from, is the most imposing building in the center of the Mauritania capital of Nouakchott. The sand-colored building has two high minarets shooting into the sky, and the ornate building seems out of place compared to the overall shabbiness of the city. Non-Muslims not allowed beyond the gate.
Address: Rue Alioune, Nouakchott, Mauritania.
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4. Chinguetti Mosque
Chinguetti, an ancient town housed an extraordinary collection of important Islamic manuscripts. Its medieval mosque features a double-niched mihrab, a courtyard and a prayer room with four aisles. This historical monument in Mauritania is best known for its massive square minaret that towers over the town. In the western Sahara, Chinguetti is located in it and the encroaching desert is a constant concern. In addition, flash flooding and subsequent erosion also pose a danger to the building. Threatened by climate change in a report to the 30th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2006, Chinguetti Mosque was cited as an example of cultural heritage.
The site suffers as a result of the effects of the expanding desert, changing rainfall patterns, vegetation loss, soil erosion, and extreme temperatures. Although it is in the desert one of Mauritania’s best-known sights, this is a spot to really be close to Mauritanian culture. You will find plenty of ancient libraries around the mosque in the old city.
Address: Vieille Ville ChinguettiŰ Mauritania.
5. OuadĂąne
Ouadane is an old-fashioned ghost town and UNESCO World Heritage site in Mauritania. It is located in the desert region of Central Mauritania founded in 1147 by the Berber population who occupied the land and it seems to rise from the golden sands like a mirage. This oasis is home to 14th-century mosques and gorgeous gardens and several old buildings and houses. This famous monument in Mauritania was used to be a staging post in the trans-Saharan trade and for caravans transporting slabs of salt from the mines at Idjil. In 1487, a Portuguese trading post was established but was probably soon abandoned here. Most of it now lies in ruins and has declined since the sixteenth century. The town has a highly informative museum where travelers can learn more about the country and its history.
Address: OuadĂąne, Central Mauritania, Mauritania.
6. Adrar
Adrar means “mountain” in Berber language and is indeed the most famous mountain in the country. The Adrar plateau is a stunning sierra characterized by shades of pink and brown desert rock. This area now converted into a monument in Mauritania is well-known for its shifting sand dunes, plummeting canyons, stony desert areas, and in some parts, welcoming palm groves. There are several archeological sites displaying human life and activities of the past and because the land was settled way back in the Neolithic area.
Address: Adrar, Northern Mauritania, Mauritania
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7. Port de PĂȘche
The most famous landmark in the capital, Port de PĂȘche, is a colorful and buzzing boardwalk and fishing port on the west side of Nouakchott. Port de PĂȘche is a very interesting place and one of the biggest working fishing ports in West Africa. Try to visit this place late afternoon because the fishing boats come in and land their fish in the afternoon. But it is a hectic experience as there are so many boats. It is a dirty, smelly, noisy, colorful, fast-moving place. Make sure you visit for a real African experience. Expect to see no foreigners or tourists. This fishing port cum old monument in Mauritania is easily reached by taxi and the best time to visit is in the afternoon when the trawlers are docked.
Address: Port de PĂȘche, Western Nouakchott, Mauritania.
So far we have discussed the best monuments in Mauritania, which contains the proper information regarding all the most visited monuments in Mauritania. I hope you might have loved reading this article and if you love to know more about Mauritania then kindly head to our other articles as well which will help you to get knowledge about.
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