The Sheikh Hanafi Mosque is the oldest surviving religious building in Massawa, dating from the 15th century when the city was an important trading port on the Ottoman-controlled Red Sea. It stands in the old port quarter of Basé Island, surrounded by the characteristic coral-block architecture that gives this part of the city its distinctive appearance.
The mosque's minaret is one of the landmarks of the old city skyline. The area around it — Piazza degli Incendi — is the heart of the historic port district and the best place to see the fusion of Ottoman, Egyptian, and Italian architectural styles that makes Massawa so unusual. Visiting non-Muslims should be respectful and dress conservatively.