This pretty little mosque is one of the very old buildings in the inner City. These narrow streets run down from the main road (Govan Mbeki Ave) towards the sea, and Strand Street 2 blocks down, which in the old days was on the beach.
Then land was reclained for the harbour and railways, and in the 70s a huge freeway built above strand street. Many of the original buildings from the 1820s and 1830s were replaced with ugly modern high rises, with interesting old treasures like this mosque sandwiched between them. The circular structures you see behind it are from a parking garage.
In the late 70s this part of town was a thriving business hub, with all the big departments stores etc here. Then crime and urban decay took over, businesses moved to the suburbs, and many of the huge office blocks are now taken over by squatters who live in really gross conditions in buildings that were never intended for crowded human habitation. You really have to watch your back when you go there now. Even on a quiet Sunday afternoon when we went to take these pix, we had to be quite alert and keep the pepper spray handy.
Such a pretty mosque, it's a pity that it's in such a dodgy area. But I'm sure it's full on friday's still.
ReplyDeleteEvery mosques i had seen ae very beautiful and has great colours. I will take some pics of the mosque here too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I also love mosques!
ReplyDeleteAmazing architecture with nice colors!
ReplyDeleteVery, very pretty! Lovely shape, colors and architectural details. The second photo makes a wonderful poster, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteThere are a few rough neighborhoods in Boston. Tomorrow I'm featuring one of them (Boston's worst, actually).
I like the angles you took the photos from, great views and textures...
ReplyDelete