Gao, Mali - Tomb of Askia UNESCO World Heritage Site
Place: Gao, Mali
Weather: Partly cloudy skies, 65/93F.
Route: From Bandiagara 525 km ENE on RN16.
Significance: UNESCO specifically recognized the Tomb of Askia for World Heritage status, however there are other interesting sites in the town as well. In the 15th and 16th centuries Gao was the capital of the Songhai Empire. The Empire was built on Saharan trade of gold and salt. It's leader at the time, Askia Mohamed, converted to Islam and visited Mecca. On his way to Mecca he saw the pyramids of Egypt. He was impressed by the pyramids and wanted a pyramid tomb built for himself. Near the tomb is the mosque that he ordered built as well after his conversion.
Locals applying mud to the exterior of the tomb, which must be done every 2 years to fight erosion (from whc.unesco.org)
Aerial view of Gao with Niger River in the background (from whc.unesco.org)
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