A cluster of small mosques beside Mount Sala' linked to the Battle of the Trench in 627 CE. Free and open air.
The Seven Mosques complex lies on the western flank of Mount Sala' (Sela) in north-west Madinah, close to where the Muslims dug the trench for the Battle of the Trench in 627 CE. In fact it is a cluster of six small mosques, usually listed from north to south as Al-Fath, Salman al-Farisi, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah az-Zahra, and the seventh is conventionally counted as the nearby Masjid al-Qiblatayn, about a kilometre away. Al-Fath is the largest and sits near the foot of the mountain. Visits are short, usually 30 to 45 minutes, and the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Route lists the Trench Battlefield as a stop. Which of the small mosques are open varies with prayer times and maintenance, so visitors may only see some from outside. The area is free and open air, with limited shade. Non-Muslim access to the individual mosques is not documented in official sources; the outdoor grounds and view of the mountain can be seen by anyone.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open air; mosques follow prayer times |
| Typical visit | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Best time | Early morning |
| Getting there | Taxi or ride-hail (about SAR 15-25, roughly $4-7, from the centre, estimate); Hop-On Hop-Off Red Route stop (The Trench Battlefield) |
| Address | Seven Mosques, Al Khandaq, Madinah |
Location
Seven Mosques, Al Khandaq, Madinah
24.4768, 39.5960 View on map
Highlights
- Al-Fath, the largest of the cluster, at the foot of Mount Sala'
- Site connected with the Battle of the Trench in 627
- Small whitewashed mosques named for companions
- Views of the trench area and the mountain
- Combines with Masjid al-Qiblatayn
Tips for visiting
- Visit in the early morning; there is little shade.
- Expect some small mosques to be closed outside prayer times.
- Dress modestly and be quiet around worshippers.
- Use the Hop-On Hop-Off Red Route or a short taxi ride from Qiblatayn.
- Bring water; there are few vendors.
- Treat the Seven Mosques as one short stop, not a half-day site.
When to visit
Early morning or late afternoon from October to March.
Accessibility
Paths are mostly paved but short slopes and steps lead to some mosques.
Frequently asked questions
Why are they called seven if there are six?
Six small mosques form the cluster and the nearby Masjid al-Qiblatayn is conventionally counted as the seventh.
Is there an entrance fee?
No.
Which mosque is the largest?
Al-Fath, near the foot of Mount Sala'.
Can visitors enter all of them?
Not always; access depends on prayer times and maintenance.