Mali is known as the eight biggest nation in entire Africa. It is a landlocked country with a rich heritage located in West Africa. Mali is blessed with unique religious landmarks, cultural attractions, and beautiful natural spots. The popular historical monuments in Mali that attract lots of tourists worldwide. Bamako is the capital of Mali and the largest city in the country. You can also enjoy trekking and explore various interesting tourist spots by visiting Mali. So, letās have a look at some amazing monuments of Mali that you should visit.
List of Monuments in MaliĀ
1. Tomb of Askia
Askia Mohamed, the Emperor of Songhai built the Tomb of Askia in 1495 and comprises the pyramidal tomb, two flat-roofed mosque buildings, the mosque cemetery and the open-air assembly ground. This popular monument in Mali is a fine example of the monumental mud-building traditions of the West African Sahel. The Songhai Empire flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries through its control of the trans-Saharan trade in salt and gold and the tomb marked the conversion of the empire to Islam after Askia had visited Mecca. You can find here a 56 feet tall structure that contains the body of Askia Mohammad. Have a look at unique Islamic architectural styles. Today, the mosque is well-equipped with electricity, fans, lights, and a loudspeaker while it retains its old historical essence.
Address: Tomb of Askia, Gao, Mali
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2. National Museum of Bamako
Bamako is the Malian capital and a bustling city of over one million people situated on the banks of the Niger River. The National Museum provides an excellent introduction to Malian history and culture with impressive collections of masks, textiles and ancient artefacts. If you want to explore Malian history and culture you must visit this famous monument in Mali. West Africa is renowned for its music and Bamako is an excellent spot for catching live bands, particularly on the Route de Bla Bla. Elsewhere Grande Marche is a huge market selling food, clothes and some more unusual produce in its fetish stalls. Make sure you visit the National Museum of Mali, which is well-known for being the best museum present in West Africa. It was established in Bamako in 1953. Watch 3,000 incredible exhibits in this museum. Also, you get an opportunity to have a look at ancient musical instruments, clothing, and historic items of the ethnic groups in this amazing museum.
Address: National Museum of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
3. Grand Mosque of Djenn
Djenn is one of the oldest towns in West Africa, inhabited since 250 BC. It was an important centre of the trans-Saharan gold trade and the spread of Islam. Built-in 1906, the Grand Mosque is the largest mud-brick building in the world, a truly unique and extraordinary site. The facade has to be restored every year after the rainy season by thousands of volunteers. Elsewhere the town is traditional mud-brick houses and a maze of narrow alleyways, seemingly little changed in centuries, ripe for wandering and exploration. The Monday market near this religious monument in Mali is one of the most lively in West Africa, these days fabrics, pottery food, and spices are for sale rather than the gold, ivory and slaves of days gone by.
Address: Grand Mosque of Djenn, Djenn, Mali.
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4. Cliff of Bandiagara
A long escarpment of cliffs and sandy plateaus, Bandiagara is spread about 135 kilometres. It has been inhabited by the Dogon people for over 600 years when they fled here to escape Islamic persecutors. The Dogon still live a very traditional lifestyle in villages with some beautiful architecture, such as flat-roofed huts, tapering granaries, clifftop cemeteries, and communal meeting places (Togu Na). The Dogon are famous for their elaborate masked dances and ceremonies which are integral to their traditional beliefs. This iconic monument in Mali is an excellent area for trekking – along, up and down the escarpment as you travel between the Dogon villages.
Address: Cliff of Bandiagara, Bandiagara, Mali.
5. Mopti
The thriving market town of Mopti is located on the confluence of the Niger and Bani Rivers. The markets attract ethnic groups including the Tuareg, Dogon, Fulani, and Songhai from all over the country and sell all manner of traditional goods, food, spices, textiles and blocks of salt carried across the Sahara by Tuareg camel caravans. This salt used to be traded weight for weight with gold in the past time. The whole town was used to be the trade point that’s why the town itself is considered as one of the best monuments in Mali. Thousands of travel junkies visit this historic town every year for shopping for transitional souvenirs.
Address: Mopti, Mali
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6. Timbuktu
Timbuktu is one of the most evocative and mysterious names for travelers. Located on the edge of the Sahara desert, this beautiful monument in Mali became rich as an important trading town and once had one of the largest universities of the world, Koranic Sankore University, as it became the intellectual and spiritual centre for the propagation of Islam throughout West Africa. Today, Timbuktu’s attractions include the three great mosques, Djingareyber, Sankore and Sidi Yahia, as well as the old houses of European explorers.
Address: Timbuktu, Mali
7. Gouina Falls
For comprising many tall perennial waterfalls Mali is so popular. Gouina Falls also known or called as the āNiagara falls of Maliā, is one of the most popular waterfalls in Mali. You can find this exquisite, pleasant falls on the Senegal River. The waterfall is about 15 to 16 meters tall and 500 meters wide with its water falling on the step of Precambrian sandstone. You can find big potholes that are about 2 meters deep above the falls. You can easily figure them out in the dry season. Spend a pleasant, leisure time watching this wonderful waterfall and natural monument in Mali.
Address: Gouina Falls, Mali.
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8. National Park Of Mali
If you want to explore nature and plant life in Mali then, don’t miss visiting the national park of Mali which is located in the busy city of Bamako. It is a vast, pleasant park created by His Highness Aga Khan. This beautiful natural monument in Mali is known to include a unique tea house, two restaurants, a fabulous medicine garden, and a wonderful playground. Have a leisure time at this amazing destination. Watch beautiful species of birds in this spectacular park. Go for jogging, running, or cycling on the beautiful paths in the park. You can also workout in a well-equipped gymnasium here.
Address: National Park Of Mali, BamakoĀ
So far we have discussed the best monuments in Mali, which contains the proper information regarding all the most visited monuments in Mali. I hope you might have loved reading this article and if you love to know more about Mali then kindly head to our other articles as well which will help you to get knowledge about.
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