Lasting Legacy
Timbuktu and Gao became permanent fixtures in his empire when he returned from his journey. With architects from a region of Spain called Andalusia and Cairo, he was able to build his grand palace in Timbuktu. This palace, the Djinguereber Mosque still stands today.
Timbuktu also quickly became the center of trade, as well as culture and Islam. Merchants from Hausaland, Egypt and other kingdoms throughout Africa quickly filled the markets in the city. A university was founded shortly after, but more were built in the Malian cities Djenne and Segou.
The University of Sankore in Timbuktu was staffed under Musa’s reign with mathematicians, jurists, and astronomers and became a center of learning and culture which brought Muslim scholars from all over Africa and the Middle East.