Timbuktu is a city located in the African country of Mali. It is about 16kms north of Niger river. Timbuktu was discovered by nomads as a seasonal camp in 10th century and gradually became a major trading depot for the caravans of the Sahara Desert. Timbuktu was once the legendary city of gold and a major trading center.

Timbuktu History

Timbaktu was founded by Tuareg nomads and by fourteenth century it became a major center for salt and gold trade as well as world center of Islamic learning.

In the 14th century, Mansa Musa ordered the construction of Djinguereber Mosque,
a famous mosque in Timbuktu. The Songhai Empire came next and further helped in the growth of Timbuktu and transformed it into an Islamic learning center.

Many European explorers tried to reach this city but failed and it was in 1828 that the first European reached Timbuktu.

Timbuktu was placed under French rule in 1894 and the city became part of Independent Mali in 1960.

Timbuktu today and Major tourist attractions in Timbuktu-

Timbuktu was included in the list of World heritage sites in 1988 and various programs are underway to protect the city and reclaim its old heritage.

Timbuktu is a fascinating place for tourists to explore mosques made of mud that have survived the hot climate of the Sahara desert. These include-

• Djinguereber Mosque- Built by the sultan Kankan Mouss in 1327
• Sankore Mosque – Built in fifteenth century and later restored by the Imam Al Aqib
• Sidi Yahya Mosque- It was built around 1400 by Sheikh El Moktar Hamalla.

Besides these mosques Timbuktu also has several libraries that have hundreds of manuscripts that were collected over the course of time. Some of them are- Maigala library, Mohamed Tahar Library, Mamma Haidara library, Ahmed Baba Institute and the Boularaf collections.