msafiri 11 The Great Mosque The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali was constructed in 1907 on the foundations of a 13th- century mosque built by King Koy Konboro, the 26th ruler of Djenné. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1988, this extraordinary structure is the largest mud brick ( or adobe) building in the world. The residents of the town take an active role in maintaining the mosque during an annual festival of music, food and mud- plastering. Nigel Pavitt/ John Warburton- Lee Photography