The Great Mosque of Porto-Novo stands in Benin’s capital city –– but just barely. The once grand example of Benin’s unique Afro-Brazilian architecture, traced back to the Aguda community, has struggled to withstand the test of time. A large chunk of its vaulted ceiling has collapsed, the minarets are crumbling and invasive trees are growing through the walls.
Porto-Novo community leaders want to see the mosque preserved and converted into a museum documenting the Aguda community and Islam in the West African country, but the precarious condition of the building makes that future questionable. However, a group of researchers at Northeastern University are working to make sure the mosque lives on through the African Building Heritage Project, an innovative preservation project done in collaboration with people in Benin.
