Gurgi Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Tripoli. It is situated in the heart of the "Medina", the Old City of Tripoli as part of a complex of historic buildings.
The mosque is one of the most popular tourist attractions to visit in the Libyan capital, as the area as a whole is located nearby is the Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius.
The mosque takes its name from Mustafa Gurgi, a naval captain in the Ottoman era, who gave the orders to build the mosque in 1834 during the rule of Yusuf Pasha Al-Qara Manali. The beautiful architecture and the details that adorn the mosque show how much the people of Tripoli value the Islamic architecture and places of worship.
The historic monument combines European and Islamic geometrics, in a manner that fuses diverse architectural styles from different civilizations into one expression of art and beauty. Its walls and columns are enhanced with natural marble and its floors are clad with multi-coloured tiles, creating a haven that is truly inspirational and captivating.
Another important feature of the mosque’s architecture is the minaret. It is approximately 25 m high, with two balconies adorned with natural green marble. Particular attention should also be paid to the arched entrances of the mosque etched with floral patterns, as well as the praying hall with its tall marble columns, creating valuable artistic outcomes.
The construction of the Gurgi Mosque comes under 15 decorated domes. Visitors can enjoy exploring the calligraphy on the walls, etched with verses from the Quran in Andalusian lettering, as well as a range of decorations of geometric shapes, plants, and flowers. Like other classic ottoman-built mosques, there is also a tomb in the courtyard of the mosque for the founder, as well as other facilities.