Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakesh
Panoramic view of the Koutoubia Mosque. Photo by Patrick Mayon.
Photos by Jon Keegan.
The Koutoubia minaret from the Djemaa el Fna. Photo by the author.
Photos by Bryce Edwards.
View of the Koutoubia Mosque and minaret. Photo by Jim Callender.
Copper balls atop the Koutoubia minaret. Photo by dannebrog.
Located near the Djemaa el Fna, the Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh. it is famed especially for its magnificent minaret, the oldest of the three great Almohad minarets remaining in the world.
Construction on the Koutoubia minaret probably began shortly after the Almohad conquest of Marrakesh, around 1150. It was completed during the reign of Sultan Yacoub el Mansour (1184-99).
The Koutoubia mosque predates the minaret and had to be rebuilt because it did not originally align correctly with Mecca.
The Koutoubia minaret was highly influential on later towers - it was the model for the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the famous Giralda in Seville - and on Moroccan architecture in general.
The wide band of ceramic tiles at the top, the stepped battlements, the alternate patterning on each side, and various decorative motifs can all be seen on various buildings across Morocco.
The minaret is topped with four copper balls, which are the subject of many legends. It is said they were originally made of pure gold and the fourth was a gift from the wife of Yacoub el Mansour, as penance for breaking her fast for three hours during Ramadan.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Koutoubia Mosque; Koutoubiya Mosque |
| Type of site: | Mosque |
| Dates: | 1150-c.1190 |
| Architecture: | Almohad |
| Location: | Just SW of the Djemaa el Fna, Marrakesh |
| Hours: | Not open to visitors. |
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh (center marker). Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Marrakesh Map or Google Earth download.
Sources
- Personal visit (April 2007) - exterior only
- The Rough Guide to Morocco, 7th ed. (October 2004).
