El Djedid Mosque is located in the lower Casbah, near Martyrs’ Square and opposite the Port of Algiers. It is also known as the Fishermen’s Mosque and is one of Algeria’s most important religious monuments from the Ottoman period.
The mosque was built in 1660, during the Ottoman era, on the site of the former Bou Anan religious school. It was called “El Djedid,” meaning “the new mosque,” because it was an important place of worship for followers of the Hanafi school.
Basic Information
Current name: El Djedid Mosque
Other name: Fishermen’s Mosque
Type of monument: Historic mosque and religious monument
Construction date: 1660
Location: Lower Casbah, Algiers
Architectural style: Ottoman, with Maghrebi influences
Nearby landmarks: Martyrs’ Square and the Port of Algiers
History and Origins
El Djedid Mosque was built in the seventeenth century, during the Ottoman period in Algeria. Its location was strategic, between the Casbah, the port and the city’s commercial districts.
The building was constructed on the site of the former Bou Anan school, which was previously known as the Zaouia of Moulay Bou Anan. The mosque quickly became an important religious and cultural center in Algiers.
Why Is It Called the Fishermen’s Mosque?
The name Fishermen’s Mosque comes from its proximity to the port, where fishing activities and fish markets were once concentrated.
Because of its location, the mosque was closely connected to the maritime and commercial life of Algiers. It was also an important landmark for residents, travelers and sailors arriving in the capital.
A Monument in the Heart of the Casbah
El Djedid Mosque is located in an exceptional historic environment, near important landmarks such as Ketchaoua Mosque, the Great Mosque, Dar Aziza and the Hassan Pasha Palace.
Its proximity to Martyrs’ Square and the port helps visitors understand the traditional organization of Algiers, which developed between the Casbah, the administrative districts and the sea.
Architectural Design
El Djedid Mosque combines Ottoman, Maghrebi and Mediterranean architectural elements. Its design differs from that of many other historic mosques in Algiers.
The building includes a large prayer hall, a central dome and a square minaret. The minaret is approximately 27 meters high and once housed the clock of Algiers, beginning in 1853.
The interior is richly decorated. The mihrab features decorated tiles and plasterwork, while the minbar is made of finely carved marble. These elements demonstrate the remarkable skill of the craftsmen of that period.
Architecture Inspired by Hagia Sophia
The mosque’s distinctive design is sometimes associated with the great Ottoman mosques influenced by the architecture of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Its central dome and interior layout reflect the influence of Ottoman religious architecture. However, its Maghrebi and local elements give it a unique character specific to Algiers.
Visiting Advice
The mosque can be visited as part of a tour of the Lower Casbah, Martyrs’ Square and the Port of Algiers.
Visitors are encouraged to observe the square minaret, the dome, the interior decorations and the mosque’s location overlooking the sea. El Djedid Mosque is an excellent starting point for discovering the historic and religious monuments of old Algiers.