Jinan Great Southern Mosque
Encyclopedia
The Jinan Great Southern Mosque is the oldest mosque in the city of Jinan
, Shandong Province
, China
. First established during the Yuan Dynasty
(in 1295), most of the present structures were erected during the Ming Dynasty
(in 1436 and 1492). The basic layout of the mosque is that of a Chinese temple into which the elements needed for its function as a mosque have been integrated.
, but there are no known records to confirm this. The written record dates the establishment of the mosque at its present site to the year 1295, during the first year of the reign of Temür Khan, Emperor Chengzong of Yuan.
Construction of the present day structures started in 1436, the first year in the reign of the Zhengtong Emperor
. Significant extension were undertaken in the year 1492, the fifth year in the reign of the Hongzhi Emperor
. Other recorded renovations followed during the reigns of the Jiajing
(1521–1567) and Wanli
(1572–1620) Emperors of the Ming Dynasty, the Jiaqing
(1796–1820), Daoguang
(1820–1850), and Tongzhi
(1861–1875) Emperors of the Qing Dynasty
, as well as during the early Republican era
.
The mosque was damaged severely during the Cultural Revolution
with many of the historical artifacts it housed being destroyed and the building converted into a factory. Since 1992, it has been protected as a provincial-level key cultural heritage site.
).
In keeping with Chinese tradition, the main entrance of the mosque is protected by a spirit wall.
In total, the mosque covers an area of 6630 square meters of which 2830 square meters are covered by buildings.
of Jinan, to the west of the historical city center and the Baotu Spring Park
. Its location is at the southern entrance to Jinan's Muslim quarter (Huimin Xiaoqu).
Jinan
Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub...
, Shandong Province
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. First established during the Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
(in 1295), most of the present structures were erected during the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
(in 1436 and 1492). The basic layout of the mosque is that of a Chinese temple into which the elements needed for its function as a mosque have been integrated.
History
According to legend, the Great Southern Mosque was originally founded during the Tang DynastyTang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, but there are no known records to confirm this. The written record dates the establishment of the mosque at its present site to the year 1295, during the first year of the reign of Temür Khan, Emperor Chengzong of Yuan.
Construction of the present day structures started in 1436, the first year in the reign of the Zhengtong Emperor
Zhengtong Emperor
Zhu Qizhen was an emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 to 1464....
. Significant extension were undertaken in the year 1492, the fifth year in the reign of the Hongzhi Emperor
Hongzhi Emperor
The Hongzhi Emperor was emperor of the Ming dynasty in China between 1487 and 1505. Born Zhu Youcheng , he was the son of the Chenghua Emperor and his reign as emperor of China is called the Hongzhi...
. Other recorded renovations followed during the reigns of the Jiajing
Jiajing Emperor
The Jiajing Emperor was the 11th Ming Dynasty Emperor of China who ruled from 1521 to 1567. Born Zhu Houcong, he was the former Zhengde Emperor's cousin...
(1521–1567) and Wanli
Wanli Emperor
The Wanli Emperor was emperor of China between 1572 and 1620. His era name means "Ten thousand calendars". Born Zhu Yijun, he was the Longqing Emperor's third son...
(1572–1620) Emperors of the Ming Dynasty, the Jiaqing
Jiaqing Emperor
The Jiaqing Emperor was the seventh emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the fifth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1796 to 1820....
(1796–1820), Daoguang
Daoguang Emperor
The Daoguang Emperor was the eighth emperor of the Manchurian Qing dynasty and the sixth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1820 to 1850.-Early years:...
(1820–1850), and Tongzhi
Tongzhi Emperor
The Tongzhi Emperor , born Aisin-Gioro Dzai Šun, was the tenth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the eighth Qing emperor to rule over China, from 1861 to 1875. His reign, which effectively lasted through his adolescence, was largely overshadowed by the rule of his mother, the Empress...
(1861–1875) Emperors of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, as well as during the early Republican era
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
.
The mosque was damaged severely during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
with many of the historical artifacts it housed being destroyed and the building converted into a factory. Since 1992, it has been protected as a provincial-level key cultural heritage site.
Architecture
The basic layout of the mosque follows the courtyard style of a traditional Chinese temple with major buildings arranged along a main axis of symmetry. However, whereas in a Chinese temple, this main axis is typically oriented in the north-south direction, the main axis of the Great Southern Mosque is oriented in the east-west direction so that upon entering the main prayer hall one faces west (towards MeccaMecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
).
In keeping with Chinese tradition, the main entrance of the mosque is protected by a spirit wall.
In total, the mosque covers an area of 6630 square meters of which 2830 square meters are covered by buildings.
Location
The mosque is located in Shizhong DistrictShizhong District, Jinan
Shizhong District is a district of the Chinese province of Shandong. It is part of the urban center of the subprovincial town of Jinan. It is located to the southwest of the historical city center. It borders Lixia District to the east, Tianqiao District to the north, Huaiyin District to the west,...
of Jinan, to the west of the historical city center and the Baotu Spring Park
Baotu Spring
The Baotu Spring as "Jet Spring" or "Spurting Spring") is a culturally significant artesian karst spring located in the city of Jinan, Shandong Province, China...
. Its location is at the southern entrance to Jinan's Muslim quarter (Huimin Xiaoqu).
See also
- List of sites in Jinan
- List of famous mosques
- Timeline of Islamic history
- Islamic architectureIslamic architectureIslamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture....
- Islamic artIslamic artIslamic art encompasses the visual arts produced from the 7th century onwards by people who lived within the territory that was inhabited by or ruled by culturally Islamic populations...
- List of mosques
- Islam in ChinaIslam in ChinaThroughout the history of Islam in China, Chinese Muslims have influenced the course of Chinese history. Chinese Muslims have been in China for the last 1,400 years of continuous interaction with Chinese society...