Featuring a sandstone minaret that’s 226ft (69m) tall, tower of the koutoubia mosque is a Marrakech icon. Although non-Muslims can’t enter, they can explore the lush orange tree gardens surrounding this famous temple.
Five times a day, a muezzin’s voice rises above the din of Djemaa el Fna to call the faithful to prayer. The mosque’s incredible tower is a monumental cheat sheet of Moorish ornament: scalloped keystone arches, jagged merlon crenelations, and mathematically pleasing proportions.
History
The tower of the koutoubia mosque is one of the most famous landmarks in Marrakech. It was built during the 12th century by the Almohad dynasty during the Hispano-Moresque period and was modeled after the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat.
It is also renowned for its golden spire, which has six rooms that are situated one on top of another. Local legend has it that the spire was originally made of gold, but that the wife of the Almohad sultan Yacoub el Mansour melted down her gold jewelry as a punishment for eating during Ramadan and donated the money to build the minaret.
The spire is adorned with three gold spheres that are believed to represent the holy cities of Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque or its minaret, but can admire it from outside. A kaleidoscope of columns and white arches make up the prayer corridors that are divided into 17 different naves. The pulpit is a work of art that was donated by the Almoravid Sultan Ali ben Youssef.
Architecture
The mosque’s design reflects the rich cultural heritage of Marrakech, an ancient city that has always been at the intersection of spirituality and commerce. The juxtaposition of these different pursuits, from seeking enlightenment to exchanging products and ideas in the marketplace, is reflected by its architectural grandeur and captivating silhouette against the azure sky.
The Koutoubia is renowned for its iconic minaret, which reaches 77 meters high and dominates the city’s skyline. It was built during the twelfth century by the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur. The name “Koutoubia” comes from the Arabic word for bookseller, as it was originally located near a book market.
The tower is crafted from sandstone and features six floors connected by ramps, making it a remarkable feat of engineering for its time. The tower also serves as a signal for the muezzin, who announces prayer times by calling out from the top. Many other minarets, including the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Minaret in Rabat, were inspired by this unique structure.
Interior
The Koutoubia Mosque is a major landmark in Marrakech. It’s surrounded by lush gardens, a tranquil retreat from the city’s bustle. Unfortunately, non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque or minaret (only Muslims may enter).
The mosque was originally built by the Almoravid dynasty in 1120. But it was not oriented correctly with Mecca, which caused the Almohad dynasty caliph Yaqub el-Mansur to rebuild the mosque in 1184. The new design was based on the archetypal Islamic hypostyle mosque, which features three wide central naves with 17 parallel transverse naves.
The soaring minaret is the most prominent feature of this remarkable mosque. It’s composed of six rooms placed one on top of the other and is accessed through a ramp located underneath the mosque’s dome. Its unique construction made it a model for future mosque designs, including the Giralda tower in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Legend tells of a forbidden love between the architect and the Caliph’s daughter, expressed in secret symbols and messages in the mosque’s intricate designs.
Exterior
The Koutoubia is an iconic visual focal point of Marrakesh. It is a must-see for all visitors to the city. Its unique architecture has inspired many imitations, and its captivating beauty attracts visitors from all over the world.
Six rooms on top of each other form the interior of this incredible tower. The muezzin would climb these stairs to deliver the call to prayer. The mosque is also topped with a spire that is adorned with four copper globes. The local legend says that these were originally made of gold, but the wife of the Almohad Caliph Yacoub al-Mansur melted down her own jewellery as a self-imposed penance after eating four grapes during Ramadan.
While non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque, they can admire the exterior and its incredible minaret from the outside. It is especially stunning at night, when it is beautifully illuminated. Guests can also visit the serene Menara Gardens adjacent to the Koutoubia Mosque.