Great Mosque of Salt | As Salt

Information

Landmark: Great Mosque of Salt
City: As Salt
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Great Mosque of Salt, As Salt, Jordan, Asia

The Great Mosque of Salt is the primary Islamic place of worship in the city of Salt, Jordan, located on the southern edge of the central Al-Ein Plaza. It serves as a focal point for the city’s religious life and is a central component of the Salt UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visual Characteristics

The mosque features a modern exterior of yellow Nabulsi limestone, reflecting the city’s traditional architectural palette. It is characterized by a tall, slender minaret and a large central dome. The interior prayer hall contains a spacious open floor plan with modern geometric carpeting, white plaster walls, and a recessed mihrab decorated with intricate Islamic calligraphy and stonework.

Location & Access Logistics

The mosque is situated at the intersection of Al-Dayr Street and Al-Ein Plaza in downtown Salt, approximately 35 kilometers west of Amman. Access is provided via the Amman-Salt Highway. Visitors can utilize the municipal multi-story parking lot located 200 meters away. Public minibuses from Amman's North Bus Station stop at the central terminal, which is a 3-minute walk from the mosque entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The original mosque on this site dated back to the Ayyubid-Mamluk period in the 14th century, but it was largely destroyed during early 20th-century earthquakes and subsequent urban changes. The current structure was completely rebuilt in the late 2000s to accommodate a larger congregation while maintaining the traditional yellow limestone aesthetic of the Balqa highlands. The mosque is built on the floor of the valley that divides the city's three main hills.

Key Highlights & Activities

The mosque is primarily used for the five daily prayers and the Friday congregational prayer. Non-Muslim visitors can view the exterior architecture and the courtyard during non-prayer times. The plaza in front of the mosque serves as a traditional meeting place for the city's elders, who gather to play "Mangala," an ancient board game.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility includes dedicated wudu (ablution) areas and public restrooms. The mosque is climate-controlled, providing a cool environment in summer and heating in winter. 4G and 5G cellular signals are excellent in the surrounding plaza. Numerous cafes, traditional bakeries, and pharmacies are located within a 100-meter radius of the mosque entrance.

Best Time to Visit

For photography of the exterior, the late afternoon "golden hour" provides the best lighting on the yellow limestone facade. Visitors should avoid planning visits during the Friday noon prayer (Jumu'ah) when the mosque and surrounding plaza are at maximum capacity. The exterior and courtyard are accessible daily, while the prayer hall is open during standard Islamic prayer times.

Facts & Legends

The mosque is built over a site that has continuously hosted a place of worship for centuries; during the Ottoman period, it was the center of the city's administrative and religious life. A local custom involves the "Al-Ein" spring located near the mosque, which historically served as the city’s primary water source and the reason for the mosque's specific central location.