It was the final stop on the Hejaz Railway before the line reached its terminus at Medina Station.
The mosque was built using volcanic black basalt stone, characteristic of the Medina region.
It is one of the few surviving structures from the Ottoman era in Medina that remains largely intact.
The mosque was part of a larger complex that included the Hejaz Railway station infrastructure.
Sultan Abdul Hamid II intended for the mosque to serve as a symbolic gateway for pilgrims arriving via the railway.
Al Anbariya Masjid, also known as the Hamidiyah Mosque, is a historic site commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1908. It served as a significant station on the Hejaz Railway, connecting Damascus to Medina. The architecture is distinctly Ottoman, featuring a central dome and two slender minarets that contrast with the typical regional styles of the area. It is constructed primarily from basalt stone. The mosque was strategically placed near the old Medina railway station, reflecting its historical role in serving travelers arriving by train. Today, it stands as a preserved example of early 20th-century Ottoman urban development in the Hijaz region. The structure remains a prominent focal point near the southwestern entrance to the city of Medina.
From the street level across the front entrance, capturing the full symmetry of the dome and the two minarets.
Visit during the late afternoon to appreciate the way the light hits the black basalt masonry.
Ensure your mobile device is charged as the area offers excellent opportunities for architectural photography.
Maintain a respectful distance if prayers are in progress as it is an active place of worship.
Avoid taking photos of people praying or in ways that disrupt the sanctity of the mosque.
