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One of Marrakeshs' landmarks. The 221 ft high square minaret is the tallest in Marrakesh and can be seen for miles away (it was my last sight of Marrakesh as I boarded my plane home)
Koutoub or Kutub is Arabic for books, the mosque was built on the site of an old booksellers market or library (I've been told both versions)
Dating back to the 12th Century, the square design inspired the Girald in Seville and Hassan Tower in Rabat.
Inside the minaret are 6 rooms,with a ramp running on their outer from top to bottom, which the muezzin could ride to the top.
At the top of the tower can be seen a wooden scaffold..our guide told us this is where they hang their wives who can't cook! However, it's purpose is to assist the deaf...as they can't hear the call to prayer, a flag is hoisted at the appropriate times. ( I didn't get chance to spot the flag, but I'll look out next time!)
Four solid gold balls are at the very top of the minaret. Apparently the 4th ball was added by the wife of Ysaub El Mansour, when her jewellery was melted as a penance for failing to fast. (I've since read the spheres are copper not gold!
Each side of the minaret is decorated with different carved stonework panels and carvings. The green tiles are a typical feature of Islamic architecture.
The mosque isn't open to non-muslims. However, there is quite a bit to see from the outside. Leave a Comment Address: Koutoubia Mosque, MarrakeshDirections: Just off the start (end) of Ave Mohammed V, not far from Djemma El Fna.
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The tallest structure in Marrakech is the Koutoubia Minaret. Dating back to the 12th century, it is a fine example of Moorish architecture, and a symbol of the city. At around 70 metres high, it makes an excellent marker for tourists to help them orientate themselves. On top of the minaret are three golden balls made from copper - rumour has it that the original balls were made from gold.
The Koutoubia mosque was first built in 1147, but was then demolished and re-built soon after because it was not correctly aligned with Mecca. You can see some remains of the original mosque in the surrounding Koutoubia Gardens. The gardens make a nice place for a stroll and enable you to have a closer look at the minaret.
Five times a day the 'call to prayer' rings out across the city from the top of the minaret, with speakers facing every direction to ensure that all muslims know when they should be praying.
Non Muslims cannot visit the interior of the mosque or minaret, so the closest you will get is a visit to the gardens. But you can see the minaret from all over Marrakech so an up-close visit isn't mandatory. Leave a Comment
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just sitting on a seat in amongst the orange trees in the Koutoubia gardens and breathing in the beautiful scent of the orange flowers is an enjoyable thing to do!!breath in slow and deeply! when the roses are in bloom is another delightful time to be in amongst the vegetation also!
for some interesting info on the mosque - very significant mosque to Marrakech and Morocco and the Andalucian world - an Almohad sultan got this going in 1147 to celebrate his win over the Almoravids and set about to build one of the largest mosques in the western muslim world.
This mosque later served as a model for the La Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat.
The prayer hall can fit up to 20,000 people!! and an interesting thing to read about the tower is that its 70 metre height obeys the Almohad architecture canons of its height equalling five times its width. Leave a Comment Directions: cant miss it! the highest building in marrakech at 70 m high - once youre there youre at the centre of town! - or if youre at the centre of town youll find koutoubia! between Ave Mohammed V and Ave Houmman El Fetouaki
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 by mafi_moya
It was built by the Almohads in the 12th century and remains in perfect condition, although the zellij tiles that decorated the walls are no longer there. Unusually, each face of the minaret is of a different design. If you know a little Arabic you'll see the name is derivative of 'books' - the mosque was built close to an old booksellers' market. There are also some gardens which are apparently well worth seeing, but they were closed while I was there. Leave a Comment
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Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in Marrakech, derives its name from "books" due to the sellers of manuscripts who used to be stationed by the mosque. It was first built by Almohad dynasty in the middle of the 12th century, over the remains of an older Almoravides-period palace, but was quickly destroyed and rebuilt as the original structure was not correctly aligned to Mecca. The minaret was added in the second half of the 12th century and served as a model for la Giralda in Seville, a testament to the importance of Marrakech and its architecture. The simple architectural style of the mosque is typical of the period, which is a contrast to the highly ornate style of the later Saadian period. Tourists are not permitted to enter the mosque, and photographing the inside is not tolerated either (I had to snap quickly while standing outside).
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 by travelmad478
I was told many times that if I got lost, I should just look for the Koutoubia tower and head toward it. Unfortunately, there are an awful lot of mosque towers in Marrakesh that look very similar to this one! Koutoubia's the tallest and best-proportioned, but if you can't see them all next to each other, you might not be able to distinguish them. Leave a Comment
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 Koutoubia by diageva
Down is the bigest mosque of its time, a beautiful building that at pray time is so full that people have to stay outside. Leave a Comment Address: Place Koutoubia
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 by BigjonesLeave a Comment
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 Koutoubia Minaret
marrakesh morocco by johnsakura
The mosque which it is attached is already big, but this minaret is one of the biggest in Africa. Leave a Comment
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 Koutoubia Minaret marrakesh
morocco by johnsakura
The minaret rises 77 metres above the ground. Its incredible how far you can actually see this mosque tower, this Avenue is pretty big, and still the tower can be seen and still have imponence. Leave a Comment
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